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CHEMICAL MANURES. 





Ly 
: ae oR A 
AGRICULTURAL ‘YEGTURES tp 
\ _ O47 “SEP y, 
me LPQ), : Oy | 
DELIVERED =~ l4 f 
a 


AT THE EXPERIMENTAL FARM 


AT VINCENNES, IN THE YEAR 1867. 


BY 


GEORGE VILLE. 


TRANSLATED BY MISS E. L. HOWARD, 


NEAR KINGSTON, BARTOW COUNTY, GA. 





THIRD HDITION. 





ATLANTA, GEORGIA: 


PLANTATION PUBLISHING COMPANY, 
1871. 





Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by 
MISS E. L. HOWARD, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 





/3 93 | 





WeEstTcoTT & THOMSON, 
Stereotypers, Philada. 


++ 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 





PREFACE. 





THESE admirable lectures of George Ville were. originally 
translated from the French by Miss E. L. Howard for the 
columns of Zhe Plantation, a weekly agricultural paper pub- 
lished in Atlanta, Georgia. | 

This was, perhaps, the first instance in this aoeuirs in, which 
an agricultural paper had ventured upon the translation of a 
foreign scientific work to be published in its columns. It was also, 
perhaps, the first instance in which a scientific agricultural work 
had been translated by a Southern—we may add an, American— 
lady. It was a task of much difficulty, requiring not only a 
thorough knowledge of the French language and familiarity with 
scientific terms, but a change from French weights, measures and 
currency to our own. The whole work has been patiently and 
skillfully executed. 

So great was the impression made by this translation that the 
State Agricultural Society of Georgia, at its recent Convention, 
held October 8th at Rome in Georgia, took the following com- 
plimentary notice of it: 

“Mr. Barnett, of Wilkes, offered the fillowteg preamble and 
resolution : 

“Whereas, The exceedingly interesting work of George Ville, 
who has done so much to advance the science of Agriculture 
among mankind, and to promote it almost to the rank of an 
exact science by his wonderful combination of skill, knowledge 
and common sense, has been translated by a Southern lady—a 


native Georgian—in a style of great elegance and perspicuity ; 
5 


6 PREFACE. 


“ Resolved, 'That this body, in the event of the publication of 
the translation, earnestly recommend its circulation, as furnish- 
ing the means of enlightenment to the most advanced farmers, 
both in the knowledge of facts and of the principles of investigation 
and experiment leading to the further increase of knowledge.” 

The resolution was adopted by a rising vote of the Convention, 
“as a mark of respect for the fair translator.” 

Mr. Fannin, of Troup, offered the following resolution, which 
was adopted : 

“ Resolved, ‘That we, as representatives of the County Agri- - 
cultural Societies, will endeavor to promote the circulation of the 
work of the distinguished agricultural writer and thinker, George 
Ville, and will recommend to the societies to subscribe liberally, 
and to take not less than six copies each; that in addition to 
this, the County Societies, instead of offering cups for premiums, 
will offer a copy of this work or a year’s subscription to some © 
good agricultural periodical.” 

After this strong endorsement by one of the most numerous, 
dignified and intelligent assemblages which has ever met in 
Georgia, it is unnecessary for the writer to add further remark. 

a 


| 
| 
| 


LiBR A KY 
UNIVERSITY OF | 


Uc CALIFORNIA. \) 


| 








CHEMICAL MANURES, 


A TRANSLATION OF AGRICULTURAL LECTURES GIVEN BY 
GEORGE, VILLE, IN 1867, AT THE EXPERIMENTAL FARM OF 
VINCENNES. 





LECTURE FIRST. 


ENTLEMEN :—Since 1861 I have been in the habit of giving in 
a series of lectures the results of my studies on the means of 
husbanding and increasing the fertility of the soil, outside of those 
traditions consecrated by the experience of the past. My method 
belongs essentially to science, both in character and origin. From 
the beginning it has been conceived in the hope of giving a guide to 
Practice upon which she can safely rely. My efforts have been 
directed to freeing it as much as possible from all theoretic formulee 
which are not imposed by the nature of the subject. 

Since commercial liberty has become the economy of nations, we 
feel with added force the importance of agricultural questions. 

Under this new rule a nation can have a sound prosperity, but in 
' proportion as it surpasses those nations to whom its interior 1s thrown 
open, it must produce more and more cheaply. 

By what process can we obtain this end? 

We will now seek it together, building upon the facts to which I 
here bear witness. Entering on my subject under its new aspect 
carries my thoughts back, and not without emotion, to the time when 
my labors were first thought worthy of encouragement by his gracious 
Majesty. Many doubted the results, as my efforts were founded on 
the studies of the laboratory. The emperor thought differently, and 
the founding of the experimental farm at Vincennes is an additional 
proof of the enlightened solicitude of our sovereign for our agricul- 
tural interests. . 

As I have already said, our Agriculture must increase her products 
if she would reduce their cost. The laws which permit her so to do 
require me to begin with the most intricate problems of vegetation— 
in a word, to unveil to you the very elements of which plants are 
composed, since it is to these she must have recourse if she would 
increase her returns. 

In the composition of plants nothing is permanent. Their ele- 
ments experience, in different organs, certain movements, veritable 
migrations, whose order and succession are regulated by fixed laws. 


ia 


/ 


8 CHEMICAL MANURES, 


The structure of a plant depends on imponderable agents—light, 
heat, electricity. Now, to use these as auxiliaries it is absolutely | 
necessary we know the effects of each. This can only be known by 
oak our deductions and laws upon the theories which precede 
them. : 

_ The first question is: Of what is the substance of plants formed ? 
From whence comes it? How do the combinations of elements 
which chemists show, operate ? 

Upon this point Chemistry is as clear as decided. 

She answers: Of fourteen invariable elements, which, for conveni 
ence, are arranged in two parallel series : 


Organic Elements. Mineral Elements. 
Carbon, Phosphorus, 
Hydrogen, Sulphur, 
Oxygen, Chlorine, 
Azote. Silicium, 

Tron, 
Manganese, 
Calcium, 
Magnesia, 
Sodium, 
Potassium. 


Why are the first elements called organic and the second mineral? 
Because the first are found combined only in living beings, and the 
second, belong by their nature to the solid crust of the earth. 

But how is it, we ask, that so limited a number of elements suffices 
for so many dissimilar productions ? 4 

The answer is very simple; Because they possess the power of in- 
definite combination, like the letters of the alphabet—though small in 
number, yet enough to form all the words of a language. 

Another question arises: Is the composition of a plant the same in 
all its parts? Do its varied organs differ, but in form? Are,the 
stem, the bark, the leaves and the fruit. but different impressions of 
the same. substance ? 

Far from that. In a certain degree, each organ has its own com- 
position... But these variations, the result of conditions absolutely. 
necessary to the reproduction of the species, can be reduced to a few 
simple. propositions. 7 yi 

We begin with the mineral elements. In general the leafy parts 
of a plant, contain more minerals than do the tougher parts. | This is 
only because the aqueous parts of the sap evaporate quickest in the 
first organs. ; vr fit 

Evaporation is active in proportion to looseness of tissue and 
directness of contact, with the atmosphere. Thus we find more min- 
erals in grasses 'than in, trees, more in leaves than in bark, and. more 
in bark than sap-wood or in. heart-wood. : 

In the fruit of a leguminose there are two distinct parts—the shell 
and the, pea; The shell, which is in more immediate,contact with | 
the atmosphere than the pea, contains, most minerals. Following 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 9 


the same order, the leaves of an evergreen hold fewer minerals than 
do those of a deciduous tree, being renewed at a season least fayor- 
able to evaporation. 

The following figires show the proportions : 


Dried Vegetable Matter, 
Containing 100 parts Mineral, 


Ce re ila eRe oh aa ae 7.84 
yy RAR, AIRS Si" NEES Yeon ae Mere 0.94 
UMD abi, arias ¥ 3S ciewdins «0 GUMS Rh: da bleed 0.55 
Sap-wood..........++ Ais nia op ASME ae MeN AY 2.69 
DABRa S005 8 be Red be, bap. 0 « Coda Wan ket Bae Py W's 
ON eo 04 Bs ds oon eyino cada eas ber Aer endian 14.20 
PCT BONA LGA V CR. ioc. bs. u di dab bevdnsscdendy Fae 6.60 
RICOT IOI CP ik bs 65 56 <n dit paw kaneennetgdaes 2.00 
POMUEM iors. ccna ih 6 bn.vee cabana kantindaedtapenrs 5.50 
POM Rh ee sic sage ds Sead ats ct saa Weds aldo 3.10 


If we make as exact a study of each mineral element as we now 
do of the whole, we will arrive at an analogous conclusion, to find 
that by a species of election each of these elements centres by prefer- 
ence in a certain set of organs. Thus we find more silica, lime, 
oxide of iron, sulphates and chlorides in the stem and leaves than in 
the fruit and seed, where, on the contrary, sulphuric acid, potash and 
magnesia become the predominant elements. 

Take wheat for example. In the ashes of the seed there is 46 
per cent. of phosphoric acid, in the chaff, 2.54, in the straw, 2.26, and 
only 1.70 in the roots. 

What I have just said of phosphoric acid is equally true of mag- 
nesia and potash, the proportions of which change from one organ to 
another,.as will be seen by the following table: 

IN 100 PARTS OF ASHES OF |<’ 





‘Roots. Straw. Pio 
BON BOMI x <0 acecanks on- + «ba ENs cine 1.70 2.20 46.00 
EE TIO OL 5 5 5s. any'se. dinars, santgs.ndomel tet Pb FL A hie And 
PML 8b sy uch on onsets i In con nts +, Reet os 2.87. 15.18 $2.59. °,’ 
ea kaa copia tiie «EEN ae 0.88 3.00 ya ee 
The differences here found in wheat exist in all plants without 


exception. 

Thus, the distribution of minerals is not left to chance, but is sub- 
ject to fixed laws; all aid in the general structure of the plant, but 
each centres in a fixed organ or system of organs. We will‘now find | 
the cause of’ this unequal distribution. 

In the economy of living beings all the functions, varied as they 
are, tend to one end—viz., the reproduction of the species for all 
time. They are ordered with a view to this important result. But 
to gain this object, the embryo contained in the seed must have 
within its reach all those minerals necessary to the first acts of 
vegetable life. Hence, the seed is so abundantly supplied with 
phosphoric acid, potash and magnesia. It is a kind of reserve laid 
by for the first movements of the embryo. 


10 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


If you carefully read the preceding table, you will be struck by 
the contrast between the potash and phosphoric acid. 

Phosphoric acid is pretty uniformly distributed through all the 
organs, the seed excepted, Not so with potash. The concentration 
of phosphoric acid in the seed is sudden; the proportions of potash 

_increase by degrees, and, you will observe, in proportion as the organ 
‘ nears the seed. ‘Why this sudden increase on the one side and 
gradual progress on the other? 

An old remark of Theodore de. Saussure informs us : 

The phosphates of lime and magnesia are insoluble in water; but 
there is a double phosphate of potash and lime, and a double phos- 
phate of potash and magnesia, both of which are soluble in water. 

Potash—or, to speak more exactly, alkaline phosphates—favors, if 
it does not determine, the change of terraqueous phosphates into 
tissues. Now, at the time the seed forms vegetation is retarded and 
the organs begin to dry. It is evident, then, that the superabundance 
of alkaline salts must favor the passage of terraqueous phosphates ; 
therefore, the nearer the seed the greater the quantity of potash, and 
consequent increase of terraqueous phosphates. 

Let us look, now, to the distribution of the organic elements. 
Here a fact strikes us. These elements, four in number, represent at 
least ninety-five per cent. of vegetable matter. Here let me say that 


although the minerals do not figure largely, we may not from that: 


conclude they are less important than the organic elements. Want- 
ing them, vegetation would be impossible; it would be languishing 
and uncertain if the soil were not sufficiently supplied with them. 
In their distribution through vegetation the organic elements present 
another contrast to the mineral elements; three of them—carbon, 
hydrogen and oxygen—are exhibited in almost unvarying propor- 
tions. All plants and all organs, without distinction, contain the 
same quantities of these. Trees, shrubs, simple plants, roots, stems, 
barks, branches, leaves, fruits and seeds maintain an invariable 
balance in proportions of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. 

With azote it is different. We may say of that what has already 
been said of phosphoric acid potash—fruits and seeds contain more 
of it than the other organs, because during germination the embryo 
lives on the seed, and within its small circumference it must find 
azote as well as minerals. 

In vegetable matter carbon and oxygen are exhibited, each at 40 
to 45 per cent., hydrogen from 5 to 6 per cent., and azote from 1 to 
2 per cent. ; 

I have promised to define vegetable composition with exactness and 
clearness. It seems to me that the preceding data do so. 

But it is not enough to know what composes vegetable matter; we 
must also know how it is ‘formed, and how those elements combine 
which shape and increase its organs. 

Here the process differs at all points from that proper to minerals. 
If a solution of marine salt is exposed to the sun, as the liquid 
evaporates crystals are dgposited too fine to be seen but with a mag- 
nifying glass. Soon, however, their forms become visible, and we 


\ 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 11 


can watch their growth from day to day, which we will soon find is 
governed by a geometrical regularity not to be thrown off. 

Here the growth is.made by successive and continued deposits of 
salt, the first crystals being centres of attraction for the molecules of 
sugar and salt diffused through the liquid. 

The work of vegetable growth is not so simple, though the phases 
through which a vegetable passes before its full development have a 
character of fixedness and persistency which excludes all idea of 
chance and whim. ‘The laws governing it are not less inflexible than 
those governing minerals, and their principles and details are equally 
well known. 3 

I have told you that plants owe their formation to fourteen different 
elements. I now add that some of these elements are in the form of 
aerial gases, while others, liquid or solid, issue from the soil. The 
first are absorbed by the leaves, the second by the roots. Thus, 
plants are formed from many and very different principles, drawn 
from yaried sources. But these principles do not at once build up 
tissues and organs; they first pass through a stage belonging rather 
to inorganic than to organic nature. | 

The formation of a plant is, then, in reality an operation of two 
degrees. 

These compounds of uncertain form are divided into two groups, 
the one comprehending those compounds into which only carbon, 
hydrogen and oxygen enter; the other, those in which most azote, 
sulphur and phosphorus are found, 

Here is a list of these products, which I will call transitory 
products of active vegetation, to recall at once their origin, principal 
character and true distinction. : 


Transitory Products. 
Cuitebaer Azotes. 
: ellulose, 
Insoluble in: water, ) 4 midon (starch). Fibrin. 
Gum-dragon, 
Semi-solubles, Pectin, 
| Inulin. Casein. 
Gum-arabic, 
Solubles ohadae S 
rape sugar, 
Cane sugar. Albumen. 


We will take first the products of the first group. All these pro- 
ducts, to which we will give the name hydrates of carbon, have a 
common character; their composition is the same. For greater dis- 
tinctness, we will express them by the common formula, C,, (HO),. 

In all there are twelve equivalents of carbon, always in combina- 
tion with hydrogen and oxygen in proportions to form water. 

Although unlike in appearance, all these bodies are, in reality, but 
reproductions of the same type. The proof of this is the impossi- 
bility to draw a line of demarkation between them; so, instead of 
taking them separately in a single plant, we will notice the variations 


12 CHEMICAL MANURES, 


they exhibit in plants in general. A deeper study of these products 
shows us the point at which it is impossible to make clear and exact 
distinctions between them. 

We have placed the cellulose (so called because it forms the warp 
of vegetable tissue) at the head of the first group; immediately after 
comes the starch or amidon, then the gums, and lastly the sugars. 

Between the cellulose and the sugar there are great and numerous 
differences, and if one did not know the other terms of the series— 
pectin, inulin, gums, ete.—it would not occur to one to see in these 
two bodies dissimilar forms of an unique type. | 

Cellulose is insoluble in water—the sugar, on the contrary, melts 
away in it. 

Cellulose is not easily attacked by acids or alkalies slightly diluted. 
Sugar is easily changed by both. Sugar has a sweet taste, cellulose 
no taste. 

How did we get the idea of assimilating these two bodies, so as to 
make of them one and the same body? | 

The identity becomes manifest, and almost forces itself upon us, if 
we do not confine our observations to the cellulose of woody tissue, 
but look also at the properties of the other terms in the series, and at 
the changes to which the cellulose itself is subject. 

Cellulose in the form of woody tissue is insoluble in cold water, 
and even in boiling water.. But in Iceland moss cellulose, being less 
compact, jellies as soon as boiled. Hard as ivory in the kernels of 
some fruit, it becomes edible in the mushroom. ‘There is no greater 
difference. between the edible part of the mushroom and a piece of 
the wood of an oak than between the sugar and cellulose of the 
lichen. 

The cellulose in the tubercles of the Irish potato is in isolated 
grains, formed by concentric layers fitting into each other. 

Between the amidon and the cellulose there is little apparent 
analogy; but if we add that the amidon swells in boiling water to 
such a degree as to form a true jelly, like Iceland moss, the analogy 
between the two products becomes incontestable. 

Amidon swells in boiling water without dissolving; but inulin, 
which is found in the tubercles of the Jerusalem artichoke, and which 
is a species of amidon, dissolves in boiling water, from which it sep- 
arates itself in independent grains as the water cools. 

If we add that gum-dragon forms jelly in cold water without dis- 
solving, and that gum-arabic swells and dissolves in it, and has a 
slight taste of sugar, the change of the gum into sugar becomes 
evident, and the analogy which joins the sugar to the. cellulose, 
though at first concealed, can no longer be doubted. 

To prove this conclusion, I will add, that the cellulose itself, even 
when most compact, ean be changed into gum and to sugar, and to 
do this it is only to be treated with sulphuric acid—that it is the 
same with all the other terms of the series, which can all be turned 
into sugar by the same means. These transformations are incessant 
in vegetation ; the economy of vegetable nutrition depends upon them, 
as I will show when I come to speak of albuminous substances. The 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 13 


materials which form the second group of transitory products of 
vegetable activity are three in number; they are distinguished from 
the hydrates of carbon by the azote, sulphur and phosphorus they 
contain, which are wanting in the first. _ 

Their composition is then one more degree complicated. We will 
observe the same of them as has already been said of the hydrates of 
carbon: in spite of their dissimilarity, they are in reality the same 
body under three different conditions. Their composition is the same 
and is expressed by the same formula, Cy, Hy, Azs, 82, Ou. 

Is it objected that fibrin is insoluble in water while casein and 
albumen are soluble? But I say, Bring water to the boiling point 
and these two bodies will be equally insoluble. 

But you will say, Heat does not dissolve albumen as it does casein— 
that albumen coagulates in masses, while casein coagulates but in 
part, in the form of a skin on the surface of the liquid. To refute 
this objection, we need only communicate the properties of whichever 
one of these materials we please to the other two. | 

Fibrin is insoluble. 'To make it soluble we have only to pound it 
ina marble mortar and add a fiftieth part of its weight in caustic 
soda. The dissolution thus produced possesses all the properties of 
albumen, and its most characteristic one, that of coagulating in a 
mass under the action of heat. 

If you pour a few drops of caustic soda into a solution of albumen, 
it will acquire the property of ‘coagulating in parts and forming a 
skin like casein. 

If I add finally, that these bodies, like the hydrates of carbon, are 
continually changing into each other during the periods of vegetable 
life, you will agree with what I have already said, that they are varied 
forms of the same type. | 

Let us pause a minute at these transformations, which make the 
very essence of vegetable life. 

Wheat, before germinating, contains from ten to fifteen per cent. 
of fibrin and one or two per cent. of albumen, more or less. As soon - 
as germination begins, the proportion of fibrin diminishes and that 
of albumen increases. Beans and lentils contain no fibrin, but casein 
has, like cheese, a very little albumen; now during germination the 
casein disappears and the albumen takes its place. It is the same 
with amidon, contained in abundance in seeds: it is changed into 
gum and sugar, and they in their turn become cellulose in the leaves, 
branches and roots. 

The plant in its first period is but the seed transformed. After 
germination, when vegetation may properly be said to commence, it 
receives more and more albumen until the time of flowering, when in 
wheat the albumen becomes fibrin, and casein in beans and lentils. 

Let us:return to the hydrates of carbon, taking the beet for ex- 
ample. Before flowering it contains eight or ten per cent. of sugar ; 
Pied the seed is.formed the sugar disappears, amidon having taken 
its place. 

I therefore repeat, vegetable nutrition is a phenomenon of two 
stages, the first corresponding to the formation of transitory pro- 


, 14 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


ducts; the second, to their transformation into vegetable tissues and 
organs. 

Lastly, I add that the mechanism of vegetable nutrition rests en- 
tirely on these two orders of phenomena, which are both independent 
and united. 

From the foregoing it results that plants are known to be under 
the double relation of their composition and manner of formation. 

To complete this general view of vegetable production, I must 
show you the conditions which regulate its movements, and which, in 

practice, make their cultivation certain or precarious, expensive or 
~ remunerative. —. 

These conditions are three in number : 

Ist. Climate. 

2d. The nature of the soil and the choice and quantity of manures. 

3d. The choice of seed. 

The influence of climates. That is indisputable. Who has not 
marked the changes of vegetation in passing from the foot of a moun- 
tain to its summit? At the distance of a mile or two we distinctly 
see the bands of verdure on the inclinations of the Alps, contrasting 
through thickness and coloring as well as by difference in flora. 

The same thing takes place on a grander scale in going from the 
equator to the poles. At the equator, vegetation is marked by an 
appearance of vigor and majesty which strikes a European traveler 
with admiration. The number of trees, compared to that of the 
grasses, is greater than in Europe. The trees are also remarkable for 
height and the size of trunk, as well as for richness and variety of 
foliage. 

Seventy degrees of latitude from the equator we see only small 
trees, shrubs and grasses; and near the pole plants are represented 
by a few brittle byssus and lichens creeping over the surface of the 

round. 

Climate, therefore, exercises a considerable influence on vegetation, 
and he would be wanting indeed who ignored it in practice. 

Would it not be folly to cultivate the vine at Dunkirk, maize at 
Valenciennes, and the olive on the plains of Beauce? These are 
exaggerations, I know, but under them there is a truth it would be 
well to remember, that in our day agriculture tends to specializations, 
and we should always have the climate in our favor. With a free 
commerce and facility of exchange, each region should create a mo- 
nopoly of its products in which it may defy competition. 

The English, an enlightened people, understood this long ago: 
wherever too great moisture of climate made the cultivation of grain 
unprofitable, they have substituted grasses and herds. 

Among the conditions acting on vegetation we have placed the 
composition of the soil, and in the same order of ideas the choice of 
manures in the second rank. 

You know that two fields touching each other may often be of 
unequal fertility. The cause of these differences is in the presence » 
or absence of certain agents. Add to the one the elements wanting, 
and it will become as fertile as the other. Under this view, by the 





CHEMICAL MANURES. 15 


use of manures man acquires an almost limitless control of nature. 
It is to the study of this second condition that the teaching of Vin- 
cennes is especially devoted. 

As to the second condition, that is regulated by the vegetable itself. 
All species are subject to certain variations, which may become 
hereditary. Races, varieties of small importance in a botanical 
point of view, but of great import in agriculture, have often the 
same origin. Under the same conditions of soil and manures one 
variety will often yield double the quantity of another. I will show 
you a remarkable example of this. 

For three years I have had blue wheat and English wheat (with 
red straw) under parallel culture, the soil and manures exactly alike. 
The blue wheat did not succeed at all; the English wheat grew 
wonderfully. In autumn the blue wheat has a marked advantage 
over the English wheat, but in spring, affected by late frosts, it is 
also violently attacked by rust, while the English wheat, being more 
backward, escapes both entirely. 

There is, then, a means resting entirely upon ourselves, and to 
which we have perhaps not given sufficient attention. For myself, I 
believe our vegetables are susceptible of as varied changes as are our 
domestic animals. 

But I repeat, gentlemen, that of the three conditions which rule 
the activity and the products of vegetation, we should occupy our- 
selves solely. with the second—the choice and the quantities of 
manures. I have recalled the other two, but to show the subject on 
all sides, and to leave nothing in obscurity, I promised you an 
analysis of vegetation, its agents and cause. I think I have fully 
kept that promise. Are you tempted to reproach me with the too 
scientific character of my study? Our path was traced out by the 
light of these ideas. Henceforth there can be no question of empiric 
results. Besides, if practice is our object, science should be our 
guide, its methods our auxiliaries, and its principles the foundation 
of our deductions. 

Until the last twenty years it has been asserted that the farmyard 
was our agent “par excellence” of fertility. We maintain that to 
be erroneous, and that it is possible to produce better and cheaper 
artificial manures than can the farmyard. : 

Tt has been said: The meadow is the foundation of all good agri- 
culture, because with the meadow we have cattle, and with the cattle, 
manure. These axioms are now veritable heresies. I hope to show 
you that agriculture to be remunerative must be founded on artificial 
manures. With farmyard manures it is now but a question of con- 
venience and cost. 

To determine these important views with certainty we must remain 
faithful to the plan traced out. 

_In the first place, we must define the degrees of utility of the 
different elements of which vegetation is composed, seek the forms 
under which their assimilation is easiest and the useful effects the 
most certain, and last, form from them rules by which we may 
associate them to make the most powerful manures 


‘ 


aS 


16 CHEMICAL MANURES. . 


In our next we will: broach the subject under its new view, which 
Ta yill bring us into the domain of practice. 
Bid Bodie das belt pis 


i) 
, 


TNIVERSITY OF 





CALIFORNIA. LECTURE SECOND. 


ENTLEMEN: In our first meeting I endeavored to show you 
: the nature of the elements composing vegetation. You remem- 
_ber that these elements are very unequally distributed in the different 
organs, or rather between those forming ephemeral combinations 
before passing into the state of tissues and organs. - 

To complete this almost preliminary study, we must now ask in” 
what state we find these elements of nature, the source and cause of 
fertility of soil, under what form plants absorb them, and to what 

| degree we can, by their aid, act upon the products of vegetation. 

I begin with carbon. | | 

The quantity of carbon which enters into the composition of plants 
is, in round numbers, from 40 to 45 per cent. Carbon, then, plays a 
prominent part in vegetation. If, however, I add that in agriculture 
it is not necessary—that it may be entirely excluded from manures 
without affecting the fertility of the soil—I will appear to contradict 
myself, | 

The contradiction is but apparent, and to prove it, permit me to 
remind you that the carbon of plants has its origin in the carbonic 
acid of the air, and the atmosphere is an inexhaustible source of it. 

I need not, therefore, treat of the assimilation of carbon; in many 
respects this omission will not. be inconvenient; nevertheless, I have 
determined to stop here and make this the object of a deep study. 
Why? For two reasons—because the explanation of this phenom- 
enon marks an era in the history of science, but particularly because 
its study will help us to show clearly the essential characteristics of 
vegetable productions. 

The act which determines the assimilation of carbon is a simple 
phenomenon. Carbonic acid, formed from carbon and oxygen, is ab- 
sorbed by the leaves, where it is decomposed. The carbon remains in 
the plant, while the oxygen, being freed, returns to the atmosphere. 
Here is produced a truly extraordinary phenomenon, and one which 
we cannot imitate in our laboratories without calling to our aid the 
most powerful means of analysis at the disposal of chemistry ; this 
phenomenon the delicate tissue of the leaf performs without affecting 
its organization. 

You will see, farther, that vegetable respiration produces effects 
opposite to animal respiration. Plants borrow carbonic acid from 
the air and return oxygen to it, while animals, who borrow oxygen, 
return carbonic acid. This explains the reason why the composition 
of the atmosphere is not changed by the incessant drain made on it 
by plants and animals. 





CHEMICAL MANURES, 17 


Under this continued though unseen conflict there is an order of 
phenomena still more profound and mysterious, which I would like 
to show you, because to my eyes there is nothing more fit to unveil 
to you the true character of agricultural products, and to show you 
how this grand act of vegetable life, to which are most intimately 
joined the most essential conditions of our existence, differs from all 
other products of human activity. 


GENERAL RULE. 


All work of production presupposes two equally indispensable 
things—a first cause and a source of force. 

Without these two conditions nothing can be produced. | 

Whatever we do, the material in use experiences a diminution 
which we strive to prevent, but cannot entirely avoid. The same in 
regard to the force expended. We make use of but a part of it—the 
rest is unavoidably lost. I repeat, then, the product, which is the 
material representative of the work, is unequal to the first cause and 
the force employed. ‘Take, for example, any industrial labor you will 
—metallurgy, weaving, the mechanical arts. The work is always ac- 
companied by a double loss of the first material and vital force, 
produced by friction of intermediate organs and imperfection of 
apparatus. 

In agriculture the character of the production is different. The 
earth, through her harvests, returns ten times the value of what we 
give her by our fertilizers, and every harvest supposes an expendi- 
ture of force at least five hundred times greater than the sum of the 
efforts which produced it. 

How can we explain these two opposing facts? The economy of 
the assimilation of carbon will teach us. 

All vegetables, as we have said, contain from 40 to 45 per cent. of 
their weight in carbon. Now, if the carbon comes from the air and 
is added to the agents which we give the earth to fertilize it, we imme- 
diately perceive why the earth gives more than she has received. It 
is the same with regard to oxygen and hydrogen, which represent 
more than 50 per cent. the weight of vegetable matter, and which are 
given out by water. | 

From this, then, it follows that 95 per cent. of vegetable matter is 
provided by sources diffefent from the soil, and that the amount fur- 
nished the soil by human industry is but a fraction of the harvest 
we draw from it. But this fraction is indispensable, for without it 
the carbon of the atmosphere, the oxygen and hydrogen of water, 
would remain in their primitive’state in the domain of inorganic 
matter, and could not have entered the current of vegetable life. 
Here is explained the first characteristic of vegetable life. You know 
now why the earth gives more than it receives. The excess comes 


_ - from the air and the rain. ) 


_ The following table is an undeniable demonstration of the fact. _ It 
ie understood that what I say of wheat is equally applicable to other 
. plants: 


2 


18 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


Composition of Wheat (Straw and Grain). 


In 100 parts. 





Ptonen., hie eit OM sac 93.55 come from the air and 
Orypen 2). ae. 40.32 ViERRR: 
Sodel:. 2). Se 0.09 } 
Magnesia..:..0sccs.:5s0:5 0.20 
Sulphuric acid.......... 0.31 Here, 3.886, with which the soil is 
Chlorine.......-s.00++.-- 0.03 }abundantly supplied, and which we 
Oxide of iron............ 0.006 | need not give to it. 
Milita ya aR: 2.75 
Manganese..............- ? 
pie Se eee “a Here, 3.00, with which the soil is 
Po nee Loan irs but poorly provided, and we must give . 
Limi is i esd 50.20 J to.at by. manus, 

99.93 . 


We will now pass to a second characteristic of agricultural pro- 
duction, although of the same order as the preceding, yet more diffi- 
cult to understand. 

Until the last twenty years we believed that the phenomena of 
nature were due to different causes, because they affected different 
organs in ourselves. 

Under. this impression of diversity a more perfect analysis ended 
by discovering that this multiplicity of causes was but apparent, and 
that in reality all physical phenomena are the result of a sole cause— 
motion. \ 

Let us follow the consequences of this fundamental cause. You 
all know that the combustion of a body is followed by an elevation — 
of temperature. For example, the combustion of 2 pounds of carbon 
produces heat enough to raise 16,000 pounds of water one degree. 
If I add that which we call the quantity of heat necessary to raise 
2 pounds of water one degree calorie, we may say that the combus- 
tion of 2 pounds of carbon produces 16,000 calories. 

You know that mechanical force is engendered by heat. ‘There is 
an immutable correlation between the weight of the body burned, the 
temperature produced and the force made by it. 

We know that one calorie equals a force sufficient to raise a weight 
of 2 pounds to the height of 1389 feet, and we call the force necessary 
to raise 2 pounds to the height of 3 feet 33 inches a kilogrammetre, 
_ or a dynamie unity. . 

It follows, then, that one calorie, or the quantity of heat which will 
raise 2 pounds of water one degree, is sufficient to raise the same 2 
pounds 1389 feet high—or, in other words, 1 calorie is equivalent to 
424 kilogrammetres. 

Let us follow the results of these facts. The work of a horse in 
harness is expressed by 540,000 pounds the hour—that is to say, that 
the efforts he puts forth will raise 540,000 pounds to the height of 3 
feet per hour. We estimate the day of a horse at eight hours’ effect- 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 19 


ive labor; the day’s work is then expressed by 4,320,000 pounds. 
So, if we concentrate the labor of a horse for a day to one point, we 
will say he raises 4,320,000 pounds to the height of 33 feet. 

But if one calorie equals 424 kilogrammetres or dynamic unities, 
and if the combustion of 2 pounds of carbon produces 16,000 calories, 
it results that 2 pounds of carbon correspond to 10,416,000 feet, or, in 
round numbers, to one and a half day’s labor of a horse, the day 
being fixed at‘eight hours’ effective work. 

By the light of these facts, which may seem far-fetched, but which 
are necessary, the most hidden peculiarities of vegetable life will be 
unveiled to us. 

The combustion of carbon engenders carbonic acid and produces. 

heat, which may be expressed by dynamic unities. If you should 
attempt to turn back this current, and to undo what combustion has 
done, to separate the carbon from the oxygen in carbonic acid, you 
will not succeed, unless you return to the carbon and the oxygen a 
quantity of heat equal to that born of their combination. 
- This fact leads us to the following result: that every 2 pounds of 
carbon which settles itself in vegetable matter requires 16,000 calo- 
ries, equivalent to 10,416,000 feet, and they equal a day and a half 
of a horse. Now, as the harvest of 1 acre may be fixed at 8888 
pounds of vegetable matter, containing at least, and in round num- 
bers, 4444 pounds of carbon, the settling of which has required 
50,000,000 calories, we find that this quantity of heat corresponds 
to 17 kilogrammetres—that is, 6660 days’ work of a horse. The 
harvest of 1 acre is only obtained at this price. ' 

_If, then, the preparation of 1 acre by the plough, the harrow, etc., 
requires the same of a man as of a horse—viz., 15 days’ labor—we see 
_ that when man puts forth one mechanical effort, nature adds 444 by 
_ the unostentatious means of light and heat. } 

But what is the source of this enormous consummation of forces 
always.in action and never exhausted? You have already known 
it: the rays of the sun, in whose absence plants cannot assimilate 
carbon. If wood and vegetable products give out heat while burn- 
ing, it is but what they have drawn from the sun, and which passes 
by combustion from a latent state to a state of liberty. It is, in 
reality, but an act of restitution. 

‘These explanations are sufficient, it seems to me, to demonstrate 
the peculiar characteristics of vegetable products. 

I repeat that vegetation alone possesses the power of adding to the 
first material used, which in all other cases is subject to waste, and 
- of giving a relatively enormous yield by the intervention of an un- 
seen force. 

__ Here is shown the marvelous instinct of the people, who, outstrip- 

ping science, recognize prosperity as durable only when founded on a 
flourishing agriculture. It is for this reason that certain economists 
of the last century, Quesney among others, conceived the idea of 
laying taxes exclusively on the products of the soil, for it is they 
_ only which yield an excess in the net produce. . 

entlemen, you perhaps think I have let myself be drawn too far 


20 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


in this train of ideas; I would not retrench my words, for I believe 
to act intelligently we must have a clear idea of the principles upon 
which we act. But I hasten to return to the practical in the assimi- 
lation of carbon. ; 

The assimilation of carbon is included, as we have said, in two 
facts: Plants absorb carbonic acid from the air, and decompose it. 

To prove that leaves absorb carbonic acid, introduce the leafy 
branch of a vine into a globe of glass, making a current of air to 
pass through it. ; 

Before entering the globe, the air will contain from three to four 
ten-thousandths of its volume in carbonic acid ; when it comes out, it 
will contain but two ten-thousandths, more or less. The leaves have 
acted like a crucible. All plants and trees effect by their foliage 
what you see this branch of a vine produce under your own eyes. 

But for this three conditions are necessary : 

Ist. The plants must receive the direct action of the sun. 

2d. The temperature of the atmosphere does not descend below ten 
to twelve degrees above zero. 

od. The plants must be provided with leaves. 

The suppression of one of these three conditions is enough to stop 
the phenomena, and measurably to strike the plant with inertia. 

Leaves lose the power of absorbing carbonic acid in the dark. As 
soon as light fails, the leaves, in direct opposition to what they had 
done before, absorb oxygen and give off carbonic acid. 

In .our climate the assimilation of carbon ceases almost entirely 
below ten to.twelve degrees. It would be imprudent to make this an 
absolute rule, as all plants are not affected in the same degree by the 
lowering of temperature. 

The leaves are essentially the seat of the assimilation of carbon ; 
neither roots, trunk nor branches share in this important office. 

We will now proceed to a more practical order of ideas, and one 
pertaining especially to agriculture. 

The quantity of carbon that plants fix during the season the acre 
reaches as high as 8888 pounds. 

Here arises a new question. All plants do not attain this standard. 
- Whence comes the difference? ‘The leaves do not present the same 
amount of surface. 

If, from this point of view, we compare some of the plants in 
which we are most interested, such as the sweet potato, the beet, the 
Irish potato and what, we find that the sweet potato, which fixes 
7111 pounds of carbon the acre, gives a leaf-surface fifteen times 
that of the soil cultivated; that the beet, which fixes 1776 pounds 
of carbon, gives a leaf-surface five times that of the soil. The same 
remarks are applicable to the Irish potato and wheat, which absorb 
but 1511 and 1244 pounds of carbon, and give a much reduced leaf- 
surface. | | 

Lastly, to complete the study of the assimilation of carbon, I 
must add, that if the atmosphere is the principal source from which 
plants derive it, they, however, draw a certain quantity from the 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 21 


depths of the soil, which the leaves decompose and. assimilate. The 
carbonic acid of the soil.is provided by the decomposition of vege- 
table matter which is wanting. ‘Thus, the economy of the origin of 
carbon in vegetation is summed up in three facts: 

It is always absorbed in the form of carbonic acid. 

The leaves digest it. 

The sun’s rays are necessary to determine it. | 

Let us proceed to the origin of oxygen and hydrogen. I could 
tell you the same of these two bodies as I have already said of car- 
bon. Their functions in the economy of vegetation have but a 
theoretic interest. 

Both come from water, and plants, as regards the source of oxygen 
and hydrogen, receive more through the rain than they can make 
use of. ; 3 

Is it certain, you will probably ask, that oxygen and hydrogen are 
derived from water ? 

No question easier to determine than this. 

Cultivate burnt sand, and let the plant receive oxygen and hydro- 
gen only through distilled water; you will see how the water changes 
its condition under your eyes, and enters into the composition of the 
plants. 

We come now to azote. 

The question changes its character with azote. The origin of this 

‘body in plants opens to us a problem of the first order. 

Now, this problem may be resolved in two different ways—by 
science and practice. 

I prefer to demonstrate by practice. 

I lay down as an axiom that plants can assimilate azote in three 
different. forms : 

In the form of ammoniac or salts of ammonia; 

In the form of nitrate ; 

Tn the form of gaseous azote. 

And I add, that each of these three forms adapts itself by prefer- 
ence to certain lists of plants—the ammoniac to wheat, the nitrate to 
beets, while the legumes absorb azote, especially under the form of 
elementary gas. 

This point admitted, I ask if harvests in general contain more 

azote than the manures which produce them ? | 

Facts prove this unanimously ; there is always an excess of azote 
in the harvest. ) 

We find, for example, that the excess (and this is the minimum 
value) in sweet potatoes rises to 38 pounds, and in lucerne to 151 
pounds the acre. : | 

Here a new question arises: From whence this excess of azote? 
From the soil? Evidently not, for it is a permanent and continued 
phenomenon. This excludes the idea of its coming from the soil, 
since its resources are limited and it yields yearly, through its 
harvests, more azote than it receives by manures. 

We cannot doubt, then, that the excess of azote comes from the 
air. But here another difficulty: In what form has the azote been 


5 


22 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


absorbed? Is it in the ammoniac, nitrate or elementary form of 
azote ? 

Before pronouncing with certainty with regard to this, we have a 
question difficult of solution. We must know if the air contains the 
ammoniac and nitrate forms, and if so, in what proportions. 

There is no doubt on these two points. The air contains both the 
ammoniac and nitrate forms, but so feeble, so weakened, that they 
belong to the infinitely small. 

The proportion of ammonia is comprised between 

0.000,000,017 and 
0.000,000,032. 
This corresponds to nearly one half ounce of ammoniac for 
2,000,000 pounds of air. A thimble by the side of the Pantheon! 
The air, as we have said, contains nitric acid in infinitely reduced 
proportions, hardly equal to that of ammoniac. In the face of such 
small quantities it is not possible to attribute to them the enormous 
mass of azote that plants draw from the air. To escape this difh- 
culty, the nitrates and salts Of ammonia being very soluble in water, 
we admit it is the office of the rain to condense them and bring them 
in a feeble volume to the plants. But this supposition cannot sustain 
itself when we examine things a little nearer. 

Rain water contains at least 0.0005 ammoniac and the same quan- 
tity of nitre to the 2;45 pints. Now these quantities correspond to a 
deposit of 2.66 pounds of azote the acre per year, which is evidently 
insufficient to explain the excess of 38.03 pounds shown by the sweet 
potato, and still more so for that of lucerne, which reaches 151 
pounds. Neither the ammoniac nor the nitrates of the air can 
account for the excess of azote which harvests yield. 

We are then led to attribute to the elementary azote of the air an 
excess which would otherwise be inexplicable. | 

Is this view admitted without dispute? No; and these are the 
objections raised to it. 

It is unanimously agreed that a part of the azote of a crop is 
drawn from the air, but the assimilation of elementary azote is denied. 
It is supposed that, befere being absorbed by the plant, azote passes 
into the soil as a nitrate. The soil then becomes the seat of a uni- 
versal and permanent nitrification. ' 

Thus announced, this opinion does not bear an instant’s examina- 
tion. If azote enters lucerne but in the form of a nitrate, is it not 
evident that in a crop of it we ought to find the corresponding basis 
to nitric acid, the supposed source of azote? Now, there is none to 
be found. Now, in a crop of lucerne gotten here and on the farm of 
Vincennes, azote surpassed its corresponding basis by 120 pounds the 
acre; 120 pounds have therefore not entered the plant in the form 
of a nitrate, This 120 pounds is but one-third the real quantity of 
azote the acre that lucerne draws from the air, seeing that in the 
example just cited azote in the form of nitrate of potash and nitrate 
of soda were intentionally introduced in the fertilizers ; and it has 
been shown me since that equally large returns may be obtained by 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 23 


substituting carbonate of potash for the nitrates—that is to say, alka- 
line and azotic products by a fertilizer without azote. 

I hasten to arguments drawn more directly from practice. 

Suppose you enrich peas, clover or lucerne with nitrate of soda. 
The effect.is radically nothing, if it is not decidedly injurious. Now, 
how bring out in behalf of these plants the good effects of a spon- 
taneous nitrification in the soil ? 

We may make the argument more general. 

Try two parallel experiments: in one let the soil be enriched by a 
fertilizer composed of phosphate of lime, of potash and lime without 
azote; in the other, add to these three agents some azotic matter. 
Under these two conditions different effects will be shown according 
to the nature of the plants. 

The clover, peas and legumes will thrive as well on the ground 
which has not received the azote as on the other. With the grain, 
the colza, the beet and tobacco the result will be different. Where 
the azote is wanting the yield will be more than mediocre, while it 
will be excellent from the soil supplied with it. 

What must we conclude from this contrast? That plants form 
two distinct groups: the first comprising those which draw azote 
from the soil; the second, those which take it in preference from the 
air. 

Do you doubt it? Here are other facts in support of this distine- 
tion. 

Every one knows that culture without fertilizers soon becomes un- 
certain. The returns are never absolutely nothing, and the quantity 
of azote corresponds in importance. 

According to Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert it reaches— 


To 17.9 lbs the acre per year for wheat. 


(T4 94 ce it4 ce barley. 
pigs ak Ia ¢: 3 the meadow. 
viet. ies We * 1% beans. 


We see by this table that the meadow and beans fix more azote 
than barley and wheat. Shall we say that the azote of the beans 
and the meadow comes from the soil? We would thus raise a very 
embarrassing difficulty. If you sow grain after beans, the return is 
better and the quantity of azote fixed greater. On the other hand, 
however, we maintain that the beans contain more azote than the 
wheat. Is it not evident, then, if they had taken it from the earth 
the yield from the wheat would show it? 

Conclusions : | 

Azote is absorbed under different forms: for legumes the elementary 
azote, for wheat and colza the ammoniac, and for beets the nitrates, 
are the most suitable forms. But we again repeat that all vegetables, 
without distinction, show an excess of azote for which neither fer- 
tilizers nor soil can account, and which can only be explained by 
attributing it to the elementary azote of the air. 

Permit me to sum up the question in indisputable figures, to deter- 
mine the importance of the quantity of azote plants draw from the air; 


24 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


Excess of azote in crop 
over amount contained 
in fertilizer. 


Wheat........ Perens: Fea Ly MRA SL en 53.83 Ibs. 
Peas. 3, Ben See EE OLE 62:22" 
ON a SS RRL eG ha a ae a EARS) “2 Fa 115:56° 
Beste Re, EE ERE ad Sey Ia Be 11595" 
Lucerne Re eee eee 266.66 “ 


‘In the preceding examples the fertilizer contains from 44 to 53.33 
pounds of azote per acre. As to lucerne, I have taken the excess 
from a purely mineral fertilizer, and from a yield fixed at 7111 

ounds. | 
. You see, then, by these examples, that though all vegetables show 
an excess of azote, this excess is far from being of the same import- 
ance to each. 

There is still a distinction to be made with regard to the conditions — 
under which it is produced. 

There are plants which contain a great deal of azote, though we do 
not furnish them by manures: peas, beans, clover and lucerne come 
under this head. ‘There are others which show a considerable excess 
of azote, but which must have it given them by fertilizers containing 
azote ; such are in particular beets and colza. Lastly, there is a third 
list of plants which require a great deal of azote in the soil, ‘and — 
whose crops yield relatively but a small excess, such as wheat. 

These differences have a practical signification, which it is of the 
last importance we should not misunderstand. Who cannot see im- 
mediately, and from these simple general facts, that there is an advan- 
tage to be gained under the double relation of returns and improve- 
ment of soil, by alternating wheat with beets, and above all with | 
legumes; that is to say, the plants which draw their azote from the 
soil with those which draw it from the air? 

Experience confirms, this anticipation on all points. 

You all know that wheat succeeding clover yields more than when 
preceding it. Who does not know how favorable it is to the culture 
of wheat to turn under the leaves of the beet? ‘There is still an im- 
portant remark to be made concerning those plants (like the beet) 
which demand large quantities of azote in the soil; that is, that the 
excess of azote in the crop is somewhat proportional to the quantity 
the soil has received. It results, then, that those plants are not most 
beneficial to the soil which require the least azote in their fertilizers, 
but those which exhibit the greatest excess of azote at the expense 
of the atmosphere. ‘This relation, this correspondence between the 
richness of the fertilizer and the benefit to the plant receiving it, of 
which science now gives us the explanation, has long been confirmed 
by practice, as the words of Matthew de Dombasle testify. It is a fact 
generally observed, says he, that the functions by which plants appro- 
priate the nutritive elements contained in the soil and air are corre- 
sponding functions, so that an increase in the quantity of the principles 
which they draw from the soil can alone fit them to appropriate a 
greater quantity of atmospheric food. For this reason plants are 


ae 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 25. 


most beneficial which draw most from the air, and the more fertile 
the soil the greater the amount they draw from the air. 

This theory of high culture may be explained in a clearer and 
more scientific manner. Suppose, for example, a plant is cultivated 
in burnt sand, receiving nourishment only from air and water, and 
produces 20 leaves in 15 days after germination. If the leaves give 
nutriment to the plant sufficient to form a new leaf every fifteen days, 
at the end of three months and a half the plant will have produced 
2460 leaves. 

On the other hand, suppose another plant cultivated in. manured 
soil, and we admit that the manure determines the formation of only 
five leaves every fifteen days, besides those that the air and water had 
supplied in the preceding experiment. After the lapse of the same 
time the plant will have produced 3475 leaves; .that is, nearly twice 
as many as in the first case, although the manure alone has deter- 
mined the formation of but 35 leaves. This result you justly think 
very singular ; -it is, however, easily explained, when we reflect that 
the first leaves formed by the manure aid not only in numbers, but 
by the formation of other leaves, drawing their food from the atmo- 
sphere. | , 

ie have told you that the quantity of azote must be proportioned to 
the nature of the plant cultivated. 

To show you how necessary it is that nothing be left to chance, I 
will cite the report of an eminent agriculturist, Monsieur Cavallier, 
from the farm of Mesnil-Saint-Nicaise. 

It is on the beet, cultivated in four different ways by mineral fer- 
tilizers without azote, and the same fertilizers with increasing quanti- 
ties of sulphate of ammonia: ¥ 

With mineral fertilizers without azote the return was 32,741 
pounds the acre. 

With the same fertilizer, phos. 71.11 pounds azote, the return was 
42,066 pounds. ‘ 

With the same fertilizer, phos. 83.88 pounds azote, the return was 
45,335 pounds, : 
With the same fertilizer, phos. 106.66 pounds azote, the return was 

53,021 pounds. 7 

Tf we take as a basis 32,741 pounds obtained from fertilizers with- 
out azote, we find (the sulphate of ammonia being deducted) the fol- 
lowing increase : 7 | 


With 71 pounds*of ‘azote......;c HARE as $5.73 
With 88.88 pounds of azote........... mates vege saidaenin 9.15, 
With 106.66 pounds of azote. .........c..2cececcescecetesee’ 19.30 


From this you see that azotic fertilizers play a prominent part in 
the economy of vegetation. In practice we find the greatest adyan- 
tage in using the salts.of ammonia; the certainty of their action, their 
ease of assimilation, give them a marked superiority over all other 
azotic compositions. 

I am accustomed to employ from 53 to 80 pounds of azote the 


26 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


acre for wheat; for the colza and the beet you may go as high as 88 
to 177 pounds without i injury. 

The sulphate of ammonia contains in round numbers 20 per cent. 
of azote, and the nitrate of soda 15 per cent. 

As these compositions are very powerful, too much care cannot be 
taken in spreading them equally. This is easily done by mixing 
them with four or five times their weight of dry earth. ‘They should 
be used after the last working, and then harrowed, to mix them well 
with the surface soil. 

From the ideas presented to you, gentlemen, we gather that, in 
an agricultural point of view, there is a great difference between car- 
bon, oxygen and hydrogen on the one side, and azote on the other; 
and it is this: that Nature furnishes the first three in superabundanee, 
and we need not occupy ourselves with them, while she gives azote 
only exceptionally and under certain conditions. 

The secret of successful culture consists in alternating those plants 
which draw azote from the air with those which find‘ it in the soil, 
and in reserving for these last all the azotic compositions we can 
procure. 

The nitrates and the salts of ammonia are not the only azotic com- 
pon to which we have recourse. We may use animal matter. 

uring putrefaction it acts as salts of ammonia. But I prefer the 

<ormer, for they admit of direct assimilation, and because of 100 parts 
f azote which organic matter contains, at least 30 are lost to vege- 
ation. This loss proceeds from the decomposition to which this 
matter is subject ; 30 per cent. of all its azote escapes in the form of 
elementary azote, under which form the atmosphere already contains 
more than vegetation can make use of. 

T cannot too frequently repeat one of the great secrets of remuner- 
ative culture—yviz., to draw as much azote as possible from the air by 
an alternation of crops. 

The efforts of all agriculturists should tend to this end, and the 
most useful aid Science has given them has been to show this truth as 
clearly as possible. 

If Science is a guide which we must sometimes follow with caution— 
for moneyed questions are involved in agricultural operations—we 
must not forget that all our useful facts are conformable to her laws, 
and if we would accomplish a progress superior to all the conquests 
of the past, it is still to Science we must turn. 

In our next lecture we will treat of the office of minerals in the 
economy of vegetable productions. 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 27 


LECTURE THIRD. 


ENTLEMEN: You know that the minerals entering into the 
( composition of plants’ are ten in number—namely, phosphorus, 
sulphur, chlorine, silicium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, 
iron and manganese. But you will be surprised to find that we are 
almost entirely ignorant as to what form these enter into the organ- 
ization of vegetable tissues. We know that it is in the form of 
binary or ternary compositions, without being able to exactly deter- 
mine their nature and composition. The imperfectness of our know- 
ledge on this head will astonish you less if I add that, to acquire the 
least idea. of their presence, we must begin by burning the tissues 
which contain them. But if science shows a lamentable gap in this 
respect, we at least know with certainty under what form and what 
conditions the minerals can be made extremely efficacious agents of 
fertility. If phosphorus is in question, we employ it in the form of 
phosphate of lime; potash, in the form of a carbonate, a nitrate or 
a silicate; and lime, in that of a carbonate or a sulphate. We are, 
then, perfectly fixed on this second point, which is much more import- 
ant than the first—namely, the form most favorable to the good 
effects of minerals as agents of fertility. But here a most unex- 
pected question presents itself. 

I have just told you that ten different minerals enter into the 
composition of plants, and now I am forced to add that three of 
them, with the aid of some azotic matter, are sufficient to increase 
and maintain the fertility of the soil, and that the agriculturist need 
not occupy himself with the seven others. 

Does that mean that these last do not affect vegetation? No; 
they are not less necessary than the first three, and if practice can 
pass them over, it is only because poor soils are abundantly provided 
with them. | ( 

If the facts which I have just shown are exact, the conclusion is 
forced: we ought by their aid to obtain from burnt sand, inert of 
itself, as prosperous a growth as from the most fertile alluvial soil. 
For that we only need ten minerals and azotic matter. From these 
fundamental facts it equally results that from a natural soil we 
should obtain the same growth by the addition of azotic matter and 
three minerals—phosphate of lime, potash and lime. Expérience 
confirms these two provisions of theory. 

We may go still farther in the same train of ideas. If it is true 
that each mineral fulfills a duty proper to itself, and that the useful 
effects of the whole be in a measure dependent upon the presence of 
each of these elements in particular, we ought, by the suppression of 
one or several of the parts of this fertilizing mixture, to determine a 
series of gradations running ftom the most doubtful to the highest 
‘ies - Experience again confirms this new anticipation of theory; 

ut as this is touching a very grave question, we will put our con- 


28 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


clusions above all dispute by showing the experiments in burnt sand, 
which contains nothing not well known and defined. 

In burnt sand, free from all additions, but moistened with distilled 
water, wheat acquires but a rudimentary development—the straw 
hardly attains the dimensions of a knitting-needle. In this con- 
dition, however, vegetation follows its usual course; the plant blooms, 
bears grain, but in each head there are but one or two dwarfed, 
badly-formed grains... Thus, without soil, the wheat finds in the 
water it receives and the carbonic acid of air, aided by the substance 
of its grain, resources sufficient—sorrowfully, it is true, but at last— 
to run through the entire cycle of its evolution. 

From 22 grains of seed, weighing nearly 18 grains, we obtain 108 
grains of harvest. Add the ten minerals to the sand, excluding the 
azotic matter, and the result is. but little more. 

Under' these new conditions the wheat is a little more developed 
than in the preceding case, but the harvest is still more feeble; it 
reaches 144 grains. Suppress the minerals and add only azotic 
matter to the sand; the growth will still be mean and stunted, but 
the harvest will slightly increase, as it reaches 162 grains. Let us 
follow the changes. In pure burnt sand, 108 grains; with minerals 
without azotic matter, 144 grains; with azotic matter alone, 162 
prains. 

In this last case a new symptom is shown. As long as we operate 
only with minerals the plants are diseased, the leaves show a yellowish- 
green color. As soon as we add azotic matter to the sand the leaves 
change their color, becoming a dark green. It seems as if vegetation 
_ would take its usual course, but the appearances are deceitful; the | 
harvest is still feeble. 7 

Until now, you see, we have not gone beyond the most rudimentary 
returns. Let us attempt a third experiment, which will, in a measure, 
be a synthesis of the three preceding. Unite azotic matter and the 
minerals in the burnt sand. This time, gentlemen, you will be 
tempted to believe in the intervention of a magician, the phenomena 
so far surpasses those preceding it. Just now the growth was lan- 
euishing, doubtful, diseased ; now the plants shoot up as soon as they 
break the ground; the leaves are a beautiful green; the straight, 
firm stalk ends in a head filled with good grain; the harvest reaches 
from 396 to 450 grains. . 

You see, gentlemen, relying upon experience, which is our guide 
by choice, we have succeeded in artificially producing vegetation to 
the exclusion of manures and all unknown substances. 

You will acknowledge that this is an important and fundamental 
point. No more mystery, no undetermined power; some chemical 
products of a known purity, distilled water perfectly pure in itself, 
one seed as a starting-point, and the result, a harvest comparable in 
all points to the best obtained in good earth. 

We are, therefore, justified in saying that the problem of vegeta- 
tion here receives its solution, for we have not only defined the con- 
ditions necessary to the production of vegetation, but the degree of 
importance of each of the concurring agents. 


CHEMICAL MANURES., 29 


\ 


Thus the azotie matter produces a little more effect than all the 
ten minerals together, but the harvest does not take the character of 
a high culture until the two orders of compounds are united. 

We may add, that when we pass from burnt sand to the natural 
soil the number of minerals employed as fertilizers may be reduced 
from ten to three. If, under these new conditions, we make two par- 
allel experiments, one with azotic matter and the ten minerals that 
you already know, and the other with azotic matter and but three 
minerals—phosphate of lime, potash and lime—the returns will be 
equal. 

In the burnt sand this suppression renders vegetation impossible ; 
now, as it does not suffer from it in the natural earth, it is evident 
that these seven minerals exist in the soil. The most favorable con- 
ditions to fertility are found realized in the union of these three 
terms—azotic matter, phosphate of lime and lime. It is for this 
reason I have given this mixture the name of a complete fertilizer. 

Finally, to assure you of what I have said, permit me to place 
before you a’ series of harvests obtained from good earth enriched 
with chemical manures alone. The great inequalities which they 
show are caused solely by the suppression of one of the four terms 
of the complete fertilizer, showing how indispensable is the union of 
these four to a flourishing vegetation. 

Although these ten elements which we have just discussed aid in 
the production of vegetation, yet to fulfill their duties they imperi+ 
ously demand the aid of another order of materials, also contained in 
the soil, and of which I must now speak. These materials, three in 
number—viz., clay, sand and humus—differ from the preceding by 
the pure passiveness of their functions. They serve to support plants, 
but do not of themselves maintain vegetable life. To distinguish 
them from the first, which have received the name of the “ assimilable 
elements” of the soil, we call them the “ mechanical elements.” 





But this is not all; the “assimilable elements” are themselves . 


divided into two groups. The active assimilable elements are the 
assimilable elements in reserve, so called because they cannot aid in 
vegetable production but after being submitted to decomposition, 
which allows plants to absorb them. 

I will give you an example to show the necessity of this distinc- 
tion. 

Azotic matters of animal origin produce ammonia and the nitrates 
in its decomposition, and owe their useful effects to this formation ; 
the skin and offal of animals come particularly under this head, 
because they are decomposed with unequaled facility and quickness. 
But if these skins have been tanned, if they have become leather, 
they decompose slowly and lose a part of their immediate activity. 

In the first place, they belong to the group of active assimilable 
elements, while in the second case they enter the group of assimilable 
elements in reserve. | 

Well, there are mineral and organic properties in the soil which 
only exert a useful action after submitting to a previous decompo- 
sition more or less slow. 


e 


30 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


It was then necessary, you see, to establish a distinction between , 
the two states of the assimilable elements. e 

The clay has the property of absorbing and retaining much water - 
an important function, since it maintains a proper degree of humidity » 
in the soil, without which vegetation would become impossible. But 
you know that at last the clay becomes dry and hardened when ex- 
posed to the action of the sun, and then it becomes so compact the 
roots of the plant cannot penetrate it. wy 

Here the sand, which alone would be improper for vegetation, 
because it would. form a changeable soil and one incapable of retain- 
ing water, opportunely intervenes. Formed of isolated grains always 
independent of each other, the sand by mingling with clay acquires 
its compactness, and communicates to it its more porous and movable 
character, making it as permeable to air as to water—qualities abso- 
lutely necessary to the exercise of vegetable life. 

Clay possesses another quality, which deserves to be noticed—that 
of fixing in the soil the azotic and mineral compositions which essen- 
tially determine fertility. This fixity is not complete and definitive ; 
it is in a measure exterior and transitory, for the clay ends by giving 
to vegetation the principles of which it seems to be possessed. 

To make you better comprehend the character of this function, I 
will cite an example. 

Dilute a piece of clay in the liquor of manure; the liquid is dis- 
colored, and analysis shows that at the end of a certain time it has _ 
lost a part of the ammonia as well as the salts it contains, and which 
we will find again in the clay. 

Make an inverse experiment: dilute the same clay in distilled 
water; by degrees it will give out the products it has extracted from 
the liquor of manure. 

Finally, if the active principles of the soil are not washed away by 
rain, it is due to the clay, which has the property of retaining the 
fertilizing principles of the soil and of regulating their more tardy 
dissolution. 

Here is the process: 

The absorbent power of the clay is greater in proportion as the 
solutions upon which it acts are more concentrated. In a solution 
containing four per’cent. of potash or ammonia the clay absorbs more 
of these two alkalies than in a solution containing one to two per 
cent. of them. It follows, therefore, from this, that if a drought 
occurs there is no fear that the soluble part of the soil will acquire a 
degree of concentration dangerous to the plants. The clay prevents 
it. If the rain is continued, the clay returns to the water the pro- 
ducts it has fixed. | 

It results from this acting and reacting that the clay performs the 
office of regulator to the assimilable elements of the soil, holding or 
giving them out according as the earth passes from a state of drought 
to an excess of moisture. 

You see, then, gentlemen, that although clay and sand do not take 
a part in vegetable life, they fill an office of the highest importance. 


Shpall 


SS oe 


‘ CHEMICAL MANURES. 31 


Before finishing this point let us say a word on the nature of these 
two bodies. 

Clay is a hydrated silicate of aluminum, the proportion of water 
in it being very variable, running from ten to twenty-five per cent. 
of its weight. : 

Clay has its origin in the silicates of eruptive rocks. You will 
perhaps find it difficult to believe that granite and porphyry, which 
are synonymous with resistance and durability, sometimes change 
with astonishing facility. When the cooling of these rocks is too 
sudden, they experience a kind of exterior exfoliation from the effects 
of the weather, consequent upon which their earthy and alkaline 
bases, potash, soda, lime, etc., are washed off by the rain, while the 
aluminum remains in combination with a part of the silicate, and 
forms the clay which we know. 

The nature of sand is more simple: it is essentially formed from 
silicate in the form of quartz; it belongs to the great family of 
arenaceous rocks, which are themselves but blocks of eruptive or 
voleanic rocks washed off and divided by the action of water. 

Thus, clay owes its origin to the chemical decomposition of these 
rocks, and sand to the trituration resulting from water, of which the 
wash of our rivers gives us daily examples. 

The soil contains still another product, humus, very different from 
the preceding, and to which until recently agriculturists have 
wrongly given a réle of the first order. You know that the earth of 
the heath is essentially formed of sand, and contains a black matter 
besides. This black matter is insoluble in water, but becomes soluble 
if a small quantity of caustic potash is added to the water. Well, 
this black matter, which we also find in the liquor of manure and in 
natural earths in very unequal quantities, is humus. 

The following is the composition of humus: C,,; H,, O,—that is te 
say, humus is composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, in the rela- 
tion to form water, and consequently enters into the frame of the hy- 
drates of carbon: cellulose, sugar, starch represent, as you know, 95 
per cent. of the weight of vegetation. Humus has for its origin the 
same substance with plants, but a species of spontaneous decompo- 
sition has caused it to lose a certain quantity of hydrogen and oxygen 
in the form of water. 

The two formule following are to show the mode of generation of 
numMUS : 


Cellulose, C.,, Hy, Ou. 


Humus, C,,, Hy, Os. 


I tell you, gentlemen, many of the best minds have placed the 
humus in the first rank as an agent of fertility, but if you ask proofs 
as a support to this opinion, they can give you none. Vegetable 
nutrition is an extremely complex phenomenon, of which analysis 
has shown us very little until the last ten years. When sufficient 
facts were wanting to define it, they were supplied by hypothesis and 
words. The word humus has had the happy privilege of serving as 
an explanation to all which was not understood. 


32 CHEMICAL MANURES. * 


Thanks to this community of expression, we all appeared to agree, 
when in reality we did not agree at all. 

Let us avoid this danger by being faithful to our propramme. Let 
us put words aside to go to the bottom of things, and draw our light 
and information from experience. - 

How and in what case does humus show a favorable action? 

The first. of its good effects come from the property it has like clay 
of absorbing much water, and thus contributing to maintain the 
humidity of the soil. 

If we remark, however, that earth contains hardly a small per cent. 
of humus, it is ‘difficult to believe that so small a quantity has the 
power of modifying the physical condition of the soil. 

Humus possesses a more useful property: it is quick at fixing the 
ammonia in the soil, which it subtracts from the washing of the rains, 
and which it returns later to vegetation. 

lis offices in this respect are analogous to those of clay. 

Here is where the importance of its office begins: the humus ab- 
sorbs the oxygen of the air, and immediately, submits it to: a slow, 
inapparent, but real combustion. | It thus becomes for the soil the 
source of a slow but uninterrupted formation of carbonic acid, less 
useful by the carbon which it furnishes than by the dissolvent action 
it exercises in respect to certain minerals, and particularly the phos- 
phates and chalks. 

We will, if needed, find the proof of this in a very simple experi- 
ment : Begin two cultures in burnt sand—one with the aid of humus 
and the other without this body, both having received equal quantities 
of chemical manures. In the two cases the returns will be the samé, 
but analysis will show more phosphate of lime in the yield from the 
sand containing humus than from that without it. 

_ Humus can, in certain cases, produce a more useful effect ; it can, 
in a certain measure, increase the return: this effect takes place when 
the humus is associated with carbonate of lime. 

To prove it let us make four new experiments. : 

Institute a culture in burnt. sand, the soil being provided wih 
azotic matter and all the minerals proper to employ in this condition, 
excepting the carbonate of lime. If we sow 22 grains we will gather 
from 860 to 396 grains. Add the humus to the sand, the harvest 
does not change. Substitute carbonate of lime for the humus, still 
no change. Add the humus and carbonate of lime together, and the 
return rises to 558 grains. 

These facts are of fundamental importance to practice. Permit 
me, then, to sum them up in this little table: 


Nature of Soil. Returns. 


1. Complete manure, burnt sand......+.... 396 grains. 

2. . . sand with lime...... 396“ 

Os . # « “and humus..... 396 “ 

4. er ¢ ‘cand lime,,...... 1.3 0z., or 558 grains. 


The excess of the return obtained in this last case is due to the 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 33 


combined action of the humus and carbonate of lime. But in what 
is the favorable action of the humus manifest? Is it because of its 
absorption under the form of humus? No. Its part is limited to 
favoring the dissolution of the carbonate of lime; and to prove it, it 
is sufficient to make a fifth experiment, in which we replace the car- 
bonate of lime and humus by sulphate ‘of lime, or, better still, by 
nitrate of lime, which is much more soluble, to see another return 
of 1.3 ounces or 558 grains. It is useless to add that when we em- 
ploy nitrate of lime, it is with regard to the azote it contains, and 
that it enters in with the azotic matter. Thus is demonstrated by in- 
disputable experiments that the good effects of the humus are due, in 
this case, to the dissolvent action upon the lime; and what proves it is 
the possibility of arriving at the same résult by the aid of the salt 
of lime, which is more soluble than the carbonate. I will even tell 
you that it is this which has determined me to substitute the sulphate 
for the carbonate of lime in the composition of the complete manure. 

But you will say, These are the experiments of the laboratory, and 
in matters of agriculture it is often dangerous to abide by such testi- 
mony. You ask me for proofs drawn from culture on a large scale. 
I am happy to be able to give them. 

From a field in Champagne, cultivated for the first time with 
71,111 pounds of manure to the acre, 19 bushels of wheat were ob- 
tained, while by using the complete fertilizer the return was raised 
to 47 bushels; from an acre of silicious earth in the department 
of the Aisne, with 36,555.05 pounds of manure, 11.44 bushels of 
wheat were obtained ; with chemical manure, 40.44 bushels; the same 
earth without any manure produced 3.66 bushels; lastly, in the de- 
partment of the Dréme, on a pebbly hill broken up for the purpose, 
the earth without manure yielded 4.33 bushels the acre; with 
34,666.06 pounds of manure it gave 11.44 bushels, and with the 
complete fertilizer the return was 43.11 bushels. 

Monsieur Payen, in the department of the Aisne, Monsieur de 
Matharel, in the department of the Oise, and Monsieur le Chevalier 
Musra, in Italy, have obtained like results. 

Upon land chosen from among the poorest, where large quantities 
of manure have produced 11.44 to 14.22 bushels, the complete fertili- 
zer has determined a return of from 36 to 48 bushels the acre. 

Thus, gentlemen, a few experiments have been sufficient to define 
the. functions of all the agents of fertility that the soil should con- 
tain or which we should furnish it by fertilizers. 

A priori, one would think that a chemical analysis which has been 
pushed so far in our day, and whose methods have acquired at the 
same time so much delicacy and certainty, ought at least to give us 
a means of estimating with certainty the richness of the soil, and so 
guiding us in the choice of the manure best suited to its nature. 
There is, none, however, and I defy the most skillful chemist to say 
in advance what will be the return from earth submitted to him, and 
what manures are most appropriate. 

A few words will explain the reason why chemistry is powerless to 
furnish us with these indications: you must recall the distinctions we 


3 


84 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


have drawn between the different elements of which the soil is com- 
posed. 

Let us suppose a soil containing both quartz sand and feldspar 
sand among its mechanical elements. For vegetation these two 
sands are equivalent, although the first is from silica and nothing but 
silica, while the second is a silicate based upon lime, potash and soda, 
besides containing phosphate of lime in yery feeble but very appre- 
ciable quantities. | 

Here, then, are two bodies whose composition, in spite of similitude 
of exterior, have no analogy, and which, however, are equivalent in 
an agricultural point of view, because the feldspar being insoluble 
in water its réle in regard to vegetation descends to that of the quartz 
sand; that is to say, to a simple mechanical element. But for the 
chemist there are no insoluble bodies, so he confounds in one whole . 
the potash, lime and phosphate of lime that the feldspar sand con- 
tains, though they are of no use in vegetation, with the products of 
the same nature which we have ranged under the class of active as- 
similable elements. ‘Thus is explained the insufficiency of the signs 
‘with which chemistry can furnish ‘us. 

We have a striking example of the dangers of the confusion into. 
which we are often drawn in the farm at Vincennes. After an anal- 
ysis which I made with the greatest care of this soil, in 3,555,555.05 
pounds—which pretty nearly represents the vegetable layer spread 
over the surface of an acre—there were: ! 


Phosphoric acidic’: cuessin; cextibses'cenwels altaya gat: 1596.66 Ibs. 


Babar cit sai bil ods ch piees Ss Phebe alias 2045.33 lbs. 
Babtin0 9.15541. eee ieee hovbpbocvaa Beata avere 34,991.66 lbs. 


\ 

This constitutes a considerable fund of fertility. Now, if we culti- 
vate wheat on this land for four successive years, employing azotic 
matter as a fertilizer, at the end of the four years the return will not 
be more than from 7.11 to 8.44 bushels. 

The soil shows.a penury of minerals, and these harvests have 
shown but ; 


Phosphoric Heid; hopes ss Uidaete slibdee Lave eevoriw @ 74.55 Ibs. 


Pee sci Sallie oS Kee ce ei dedas Cake aa akeeed 81.77 Ibs. 
adie AAh ocak bea che Bibrdchisb 5uly, visite «Sst pee 35.45 lbs. 


from the land. Very different quantities from those shown by the 
chemical analysis: | 

Was there an error, then, in my analysis? No, gentlemen: the 
soil contains just what I reported; but this indication cannot be of 
any practical use, because in the mixture of these minerals we have 
not distinguished between those which are active in regard to plants 
and those which are inert. 

Doubtless you find this conclusion very unsatisfactory. 

To what good giving ourselves the trouble to discover the agents 
to which plants owe their formation, and to define the conditions of 
their efficacy, if at last we are not able to recognize their presence in 
the soil in the especial forms which assure their good effects? 


ae lg ee Ne ee 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 35 


Happily it is not so. The ideas which chemistry cannot furnish on 
this head we can acquire by other means, and I add, that these pro- 
cesses are not only the door of the agriculturist, but even enter into - 
his daily work. 

I have told you that plants are divided into two categories by the 
relation to the different forms under which they assimilate azote. 
Some take it from the air in the form of elementary azote, while 
others draw it by preference from the soil in the form of ammonia - 
and nitrates. : 

You know the consequence of this distinction. The plants which 
_ draw azote from the air flourish in a soil deprived of it if they find 

the three minerals of the complete fertilizer—viz., phosphate of lime, 
potash and lime. Plants which borrow azote from the soil, on the 
contrary, become diseased and give but a poor produce. — 

It follows from this that by the aid of these two little trials of 
culture oné can always know if the earth contains azotic matter and 
the minerals. 

Cultivate peas and wheat, or peas and beets, alongside each other. 
If the peas yield much and the wheat very little, you may without 
hesitation conclude from that that the land, though provided with 
minerals, is wanting in azotic matter. 

At Vincennes, when the earth had not received a fertilizer nothing 
succeeded, which proved that it was destitute both of azote and the 
minerals. 

These indications, although useful, are not sufficient for the ex- 
igencies of practice. It needs more precise facts in regard to the 
presence or absence of each component of the complete fertilizer ; 
that is to say, the phosphate of lime, the potash, lime and azotic 
matter. ; 

These new indications are as easy to obtain as the first, in the 
following manner : . 

Suppose you institute seven cultures of the same plant—it may be 
of the beet or wheat; as you will. 

To the first give the complete fertilizer; to the second, the same 
fertilizer excluding azotic matter; to the third, the complete fertilizer 
deprived of phosphate of lime; to the fourth, the complete fertilizer 
less the potash; to the fifth, less the lime; to the sixth, less all the 
minerals—that is to say, reduced to the azotic matter; thé seventh 
not having received any manure. 

It is very evident that if in the complete fertilizer the effect proper 
to each component is manifest but as it is associated with three 
others, the comparison of the returns obtained from the seven strips 
of the little field ought to indicate what the soil contains and in what 
it is wanting. , 

In this system of inyestigation the culture with the complete 
fertilizer becomes, ina measure, the invariable standard of compar- 
ison to which are referred the returns of the other strips of ground, 
and according as they approach or recede we conclude that the earth 
contains or does not contain the element which has been voluntarily 
excluded from the fertilizer, 


36 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


To put the value of this method beyond doubt, I will report the 
results given under three different conditions. 

At the experimental farm at Vincennes were obtained in 1864 the 
following returns from wheat: 


Complete’ fertilizer... 506. ivesceeuta casts oma'sibs ifs es 56.44 bu. 
. " without lime.......... be apace’ 53.33 “ 
" * A Mt, SUOLONBL tie Bx oye ap espa 40.44 “ 
. 2 of MT RORD BAO. 555 oo'c.0 3k 34.66 
. . “: pazotie matter.......<«. 18.88 “ 

Without any fertilizer... siessispaevoesipededstehense <> 15.838 “ 


The conclusion is evident. At Vincennes the complete fertilizer 
was necessary ; the azotic matter was most deficient. 

An eminent agriculturist of the department of the Somme 
furnished me with my second example, which is upon the beet: 


Complete fertilizer.. (05.50... 0s. tvdes dh chades 45.04 Ibs. the acre. 
‘ " without lime.........+.<< 41.03 “ 
. i 66 obeishi ss. sitter aoe: oe , 
di f “«’ - phosphate........ 32.08 “ . 
? * “  azotic matter.....32. e 
Without any fertilizer........oriots lcs aan ee FE 


You see here, also, the earth is wanting in azotic matter, and to put 
it under high culture we must have recourse to the complete fertilizer. 

This experiment was made at Mesnil-Saint-Nicaise, under the care 
of M. Cavallier. . 

I will borrow my third example from a culture of sugar-cane, in- 
stituted by the Hon. M. de Zebrun, of Guadaloupe, a former delegate 
from that colony: 


Complete fertilizer, . 5.05 <.. Lad denbis tilda des 50,666 Ibs. the acre. 
ves x without lime.............. 44,444 “ ff 

™ * . potash........... 82,111 “ ts 

“ ¥ ¥ phosphate...... 13,3833  “ ¥ 

. ‘1 Je ALO ..ssesessees AQ,777 ° 4g 
Without any fertilizer...........:0.cccceceeeees 2G? so 9 1a 


If I add that sugar-cane particularly draws its azote from the air, 
you will conclude that the soil is particularly wanting in potash and 
phosphate of lime. 

Here are, then, two methods of knowing the richness of the land. 
The first founded on the culture of two different plants without any 
fertilizer, and the second on the culture of the same plant with five 
different fertilizers. These two applications of the same principles 
lead to the same results, and verify and complete each other. 

I need not add, that for each of these trials to have its full signifi- 
cation the earth must not be used until the effect of each fertilizer 
has been spent. ; 

You see, gentlemen, after having defined all the agents which enter 
into the composition of plants, we have distinguished between those 
of which nature furnishes an inexhaustible supply to vegetation, and 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 37 


those, on the contrary, which. our industry must furnish to the soil. 
Further, by the aid of our experiments in burnt sand, and with only 
chemical products, we have realized a theoretic scale of culture whose 
progressive returns have shown us the laws which regulate vegetable 
productions. By the light of this collection of ideas we were enabled 
to conceive and to realize practical processes of analysis accessible to 
all, whose testimony is of almost absolute certainty, and by means of 
which we can always say what a land contains, what it needs, and 
can consequently determine the nature of the agents to which we 
must have recourse to fertilize it. 

In our next lecture we will follow the consequences of these prin- 
ciples, and will occupy ourselves particularly with the returns to be 
obtained in practice by the aid of chemical fertilizers. 





LECTURE FOURTH. 


Ca It is true that phosphate of lime, potash and 
lime united to an azotic matter are the agents, par excellence, of 
vegetable production. Manure, which until now has been the agri- 
culturist’s sole means of increasing the fertility of the soil, ought 
necessarily to contain all the four. 

Here are three analyses of manure. They fully justify this pro- 
vision, for they all show the presence of azote, phosphoric acid, pot- 
ash and lime: 


100 OF DRY MANURE 





: ‘from farm from farm from farm - 
‘ Vincent di Peclienbisnti: Thier garter. 
Organic Elements. 
ade PUIG: sh ta %c5 
ydrogen............. 
SPRY POR cds itssscse } iy aa Bree 
FS Aaah a a 2.08 2.00 2.56 
Mineral Elements. 
PhOs. 8010... caves... 0.88 1.00 1.26 
Sulphuric acid...... traces. 0.63 0.82 
Chlorine..........0ec. 0.70 0.20 2... 
Aluminum per...... Tepe 
Oxide of iron........ 0.68 2.03 1.51 
MONG. hy dese ae 5.23 2.83 3.70 
Magnesia............. 0.32 1.20 1.88 
MUR isos .s so ceceses traces. 2.60 0.87 
OO Re a ey 2.46 2.60 3.87 
Soluble silica........ 1.45 22.13 6.25 
co RR I 25.66 Bale 10.77 


You see, besides the four terms of the complete fertilizer, the ma- 
nure contains carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. 


38 ; CHEMICAL MANURES. 


But after what I have told you of the origin of these three bodies 
you will not be surprised if I tell you that their presence in the 
manure does not add to its good effects. The same observation with 
regard to the chlorate of sodium, of aluminum, of magnesia, of soda, 
of silica, of the oxide of iron, etc., which manure contains, and which 
we have excluded from the complete fertilizer, because poor land is 
always superabundantly provided with them. 

Thus, then, the first result is that manure, the incontestable symbol 
of fertility, contains the four bodies which, according to us, are the 
regulators, par excellence, of production, and the only ones with which 
agricultural industry need occupy itself. I repeat, this is an incon- 
testable justification of our previous studies; but that this justification 
may be complete and without appeal to the identity of composition, 
must be added that of effect. In this respect practice again confirms 
our teachings: The returns from our complete fertilizer always ex- 
ceed those obtained from manure. 

This conclusion is of more value as it is the result from facts bor- 
rowed froma large culture. I owe them to agriculturists who, like 
you, are seeking truth, and who, at my request, willingly instituted 
several comparative experiments between the chemical fertilizer and 
the manure of the farm. . 

In all these experiments the advantage rests with the chemical 
fertilizers. The first result I will show you was obtained by M. de 
Peyrat, sub-director on the school-farm of Beyrie, in Landes. 

On a land of ordinary quality three cultures of beet were instituted 
—the first without any fertilizer, the second with the complete 
mauure, and the third with 71,1386 pounds of manure. een 
Roots the acre. 


On the land without manure the return was......... ees eect 7,264.06 
With 71,136 pounds of manure it reached.................068 43,844.07 
With the chemical fertilizer it rose t0........ceccseccecsseeeseees 47,111.24 


The chemical manure was used in the quantity of 1511 pounds, 
which showed itself superior to a manuring of 71,136 pounds of barn- 
yard manure, 

With M. le Marquis de Virien, in the Isere, the same result: 

4 Roots the acre. 
From 44,444.04 pounds of barnyard manure the yield 

WAR aster ce irveiin cu kie bees crs 5 A URNS tae eCustaynamece tease 41,600 Ibs. 
From 1733 pounds of the complete fertilizer was ob- 

TOON Uae Sew naweded coon (Gap Re eee: code anss aaa oben 44,444.04 “ 
With M. Leroy, at Varennes (Oise), from 1243 pounds 

of chemical fertilizer, the return WAS............e.eeeeeee 55,440 “ 
From 44,444.04 pounds of barnyard manure, with the 

addition of 183.03 pounds of guano, the return only 

LOGO 4D... cov coumnvarssckern bes demenbannes ns lees daa vate 35,568 “ 


_ At Guadaloupe, on some of the worst land of the colony, barnyard 
manure produced 28,418.56 pounds of cane the acre. 


The chemicad Tertihizer, 0.2) bsp. mercedes hocsteraed 51,552.32 Ibs. 
And the land without any fertilizer........ wee 2,066.24 . “ 


CHEMICAL MANURES, 39 


Here are significant facts. I have said they come from distin- 
guished practical men, animated with the desire of progressing, who 
attack these problems with prejudice, and who are now lending me 
the most valued help. 

With M. Cavallier, at Mesnil-Saint-Nicaise 

(Somme), from 44,444.14 Ibs. of manure 

(still cultivating the beet), the return was.. 30,011.01 lbs. the acre. 
From 1733 pounds of the chemical fertilizer 

it was raised to............. anti has deena ones 93,013.03.“ 8s 


The same results from wheat and Irish potatoes. 
With MM. Masron and Isarn, at Evreux, the com- 


plete fertilizer produced the acrg in wheat.............. 58 bushels. 
While from 26,664.01 pounds of manure the acre were : 
MURMP IO MEDS 1 Soe Ne sn oases cbeed SMa ade estas 43 i et 


With M. Bravay, in the department of Dréme, on a 
pebbly hillock, cleared for the experiment, the yield 


from the complete fertilizer was............¢..ceceecee snes 43.50 “ 
From 25,737 pounds of barnyard manure................. 14.50  “ 
And from the land without any fertilizer.................. a ae 


That is to say, hardly the seed. ; 

But the most remarkable result from wheat is that obtained by 
M. Pousard from entirely uncultivated land in Champagne, hardly 
worth $14.35 the acre, and from which he obtained, with 1066 pounds 
of the chemical fertilizer, 47.50 bushels of wheat; with 1555 cubic 
feet of manure, 19 bushels. In giving me an account of these results 
M. Pousard wrote me: “The land upon which I am operating is a 
land which has never known the plough, and is hardly worth $14.35 
the acre. The wheat developed vigorously before the winter of 1865, 
and in the whole course of its vegetation was always superior to the 
sneighboring grain on manure. To this vigor it owed so quick a ma- 
turity that I was able to harvest it before the rains. I could have 
on it at a high price as seed-wheat, for the grain was remarkably 

ne,?” 
At the market prices the acre would have yielded : 


f Culture with the Chemical Fertilizer. 





1119 quintals of wheat, at $6.65. 0.............0.ceeeeees $73.88 

Cost of "HOettieer eas hss eos ss 2d sebemeamenetac dedvedehe as 27.02 

Lg ts MEINE NEO RR let oh $46.86 
Culture with Barnyard Manure. 

1555 cubic feet of manure, at 4 per cent..............5 $62.20 

4.44 quintals of wheat, at $6.08............ccesceseseeees 26.99 

BAOGE ysis vic} Sisth se chines axis Maa RaRPRCEAMR a bod bee $35.21 


I need not remark that M. Pousard in this résumé kept no account, 
of details, but simply set in relief the contrast of the results—a con- 
trast the more significant, as it shows a difference of from $60 to $70 
—that is to say, four times the value of the cost. 


40 CHEMICAL MANURES. 

The harvest obtained by M. Pousard is truly so astonishing one 
dare hardly believe the frets, We therefore take great interest in 
affirming them by analogous facts, which make them lose the cha- 
racter of exceptions which we are tempted to attribute to them. 
With this view I will report the two following results. 

On an acre of sand-land of very inferior quality Mr. Leon Payen 
obtained this year with the chemical fertilizer : 





1. 40.44 bushels, at $1.573, actual price... we. $63.84 
> 540) pounds Bera w. ... <i OS i visesseone eve ces 20.52 
WY pate minew yi. s.; eames eeavetenis cake Ors) phe > 34 
DOW i, ia: 11555. ods coca a avoesen sine wevee $84.70 
35,523.20 pounds of manure only produced from the same earth— 

1. 11.55 bushels grain, at $1.574..............cccseeceees $18.2 
2, Straw, LHEL pouriday se: is RR aacieceites a ceedaes 3.72 
3. Waate eras Oe ruta waa see sinus shard 4 
OUEE Rect size ocgor eves sdcekeaneenes Aree ws kW Ria $24.30 


As to tHe same soil without a fertilizer, it only furnished 3.69 
bushels. 

Is it necessary to support the testimony of M. Payen? The Hon. 
M. de Matharel, Inspector General of Finances, has given me the 
means to do it. On the 26th of July he wrote me that upon land 
which had only produced a coarse bread corn he oe this year ob- 
tained 36 bushels of wheat. 

Let us contrast these four results: 


Culture of Wheat—Return per acre. 


M. Pousard M.Bravay M.Payen M. de Matharel 
(Champagne). (Dréme). (Aisne). (Puy © lage 
bu, bu. bu. 


Chemical fertilizer .......... AT 43 39 36 
PAAMGRO SE 555 ec, fs Fewrne ek 18 15 11 36 
Without fertilizer............ 18 4 3.69 36 


Here are four results obtained from four different parts of France, 
always on poor land, whose returns so resemble each other that they 
are puzzling. 

The results obtained from the Irish potato are not the less signifi- 
cant. 

With M. le Marquis de Harrincourt the complete fertilizer pro- 
duced 14,222 pounds of tubers the acre. 

From 29 333 pounds of manure only 7111 pounds were obtained. 

I have myself exceeded at Vincennes returns of from 22,222 
pounds to 26,666 pounds. 

With M. Lavaux, at the farm of Choisy-le-Temple, on a piece of 
8.44 acres, were obtained— 


1st year, wheat........... Ooi Uesgeeabe ae, Oeae ~ 57 bu. the acre. 
DA: YORK, COMM avsedpcorkes Loe sedervvonUevevert ies AT “ , 
OG FOAL, WROTE as dickies s) sa podeudacvdemrna dues Rd 


The third year the wheat fell down. 


* =”. | —o.} = 
oS 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 41 


In 1867 the returns from beets oscillated between 48,844 and 
62,160 pounds of roots the acre, but with 35,520 pounds of manure 
the returns did not exceed 31,111 pounds. 

Shall we speak of the sugar-cane? In 1867 M. de Zebrun ob- 
tained at Guadaloupe : | 


“Canes Stripped of Leaves. 


> Chemical fertilizer. ........0.cccesccoueees 75,316 Ibs. the acre. 
MR eid cos. 5 code stcccs exes concen 55,428 Ibs. Us 
Land without fertilizer...............c0ee 23,617 lbs. " 


You know, gentlemen, that practice has proved there is a real 
advantage in varying crops with manures. But returns are thus 
obtained otherwise than by always cultivating the same plant. Does 
the alternation of crops with the chemical fertilizer offer the same 


-advantage? We reply without hesitation, Yes. In these new con- 


ditions the chemical fertilizers preserve their superiority. Wheat, 
succeeding peas, produced 66 bushels; after the beet, 49; after wheat, 
47. 

The chemical manures act in all points like manure: from this re 
sults a new proof that, despite their want of resemblance, the chemi- 
cal fertilizers and the manure owe their effects to the same cause, and 
that there is an entire community of nature between them. 

We have now arrived at, if possible,a more important point of 
consideration than the preceding. 

The source of profit in agriculture depends particularly on the 
manuring, and unfortunately, when one produces his own manure, he 
is not master of as much manure as he would wish. 

The quantity of manure disposed of in rural culture depends on 
its organization, the number of animals raised, or rather.fed there— 
consequently on\the surface devoted to the meadow—and finally the 
rolling capital possessed. A great deal of time, discernment and 
prudence is necessary in changing a culture; for everything depends 
on it on an estate where the production of the cereals and of manure 
is the main object. : | 

With the chemical fertilizer, on the contrary, agriculture acquires: 


an almost absolute liberty of action; the quantity of the fertilizer 


can be regulated at will. Itis only limited by the amount of capital. 

By the use of chemical fertilizers one may, in a measure, by to- 
morrow evening, change a doubtful culture to the order of the 
highest, and consequently obtain a large instead of a mediocre profit. 

You understand, gentlemen, that here is the knot of all future 
questions in agriculture; I therefore insist on taking things at the 
beginning. 

I say that the profit from agriculture depends on the quantity of 
fertilizers given to the land. So dependent is it on this that without 
fertilizers the harvest is weak and the profit nothing, the whole end- 
ing in a loss. With abundant manuring the returns are increased 
and the profit certain, for the excess of expense is but the half or 
the third of the price of the excess of harvest. 


\ 


42 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


To make this truth plainer, permit me to remind you that the 
cultivation of the soil involves two kinds of expenses: 

Fixed expenses, which are always the same, be the culture good or 
bad ; such are the taxes, the rent that the farmer pays his proprietor, 
the cost of seed, ete. 

Then come the variable expenses, which comprehend transporta- 
tion, thrashing of the grain, and finally the manures. 

Now, I maintain that the agriculturist who uses but little manure 
loses, while the one who uses much is always benefited. How can 
it be otherwise? The fertilizer is the foundation of the harvest. 

But these are too grave questions to be simply announced. Let us 
analyze facts, let us decompose the account of the products and ex- . 
pense, to definitely fix our ideas upon this point. To give more 
generality to our conclusions, I will take as a point of departure the 
return of 20 bushels, which is the mean return in France. Accord- 
ing to Matthieude Dombasle, the minimum expense for such a return 
is $24.82 the acre. Reduced to $20.60 the acre by the price of the 
straw, thus there results from this discount— 


Fixed expens 





Rents. 48 Pid EL ae Rb ag akg $3.81 

Generalexpenses. 15..5).4 5 eel tah 4,39 

Coat et soetbtare. 25.0 tac LR 3.63 

wait BATE, aEMSC ar ey a PRCA Gc A UAE 9) Pe 3.86—$16.60 

Variable expenses— 

EMI NUINE, 6s. 5 wal atonbes haauibanen tenses > parc uins 6.24 

Harvest, thrashing, C16... ..+00» «sensbesssosbinasense yA ae NE 
Total: expenses... <3 si. sccm ap se'aseans signs ve sues ded $25.71 

From which is deducted the straw............ Dakk v basa 4.22 
ROMA IOD AGG, es AUR sd eee es tale $21.49 


- for 20 bushels, which raises the price of a bushel to $1.03. 

Suppose that without changing anything in the régime of the farm 
of Roville, without reducing the number of animals, without mod- 
ifying the existing relation between the different cultures and the 
mode of culture, we had suddenly increased the cost of manuring, by 
a quantity of the chemical fertilizer, to $10.13 the acre, which would 
bring it from $6.24 to $16.37 the acre, all the other expenses remain- 
ing the same. What has been the consequence? The return would 
have passed from 20 bushels to 44 bushels! I say 44—I might say 
49 bushels, but like best to take a minimum—and from $1.08 the cost 
of a bushel of wheat would be brought down to 933% cents. 

Let us take up our figures again : 


Fixed expenses, like the preceding...............00006 $16.60 
Variable expenses—Manuring...... bea $16.37 

ef ff Harvest and thrashing... 5.06—_21.43 

Torablexpenses 2.6.0, Bev es $38.03 

The straw deducted.............. RE sees puuee bau tatieioes Rs 8.18 


1 POLE, ce ce cues Prem es ey le a led sa Gwe va uae “$29.90 


CHEMICAL MANURES. ; 43 


which will easily change the cost of the bushel from $1.03 to 93,9; 
cents. 

I have always told you, the superiority of a high culture depends 
upon this cireumstance—that the increase of expense from the use 
of strong manures was always inferior to the value of the excess of 
harvest. 

In the first case, where the return was 20 bushels, and the cost 
$1.03, if we fix the price of sale at $1.16 the bushel, the harvest 
represents the value of $23.20, and the net profit $2.60 the acre. 

In the second case, despite the increased expense of $10.13, which 
the excess of straw reduced to $6.22, the harvest was worth $117.84, 
and the net profit increased to $23.20 instead of $2.60 the acre. 

Another consequence resulting from these facts so little known— 
that it is better to till and manure well than to waste one’s efforts and 
resources over a large surface scantily manured. 

Suppose an agriculturist to have $5700 at his disposal; if he pro-’ 
ceeds.as at the institute of Roville, where they spend $57 the acre, 
he can cultivate 225 acres. What will be the result ?— 


Straw, at $4.22 the acre....... CE SAT AS $950 

Grain—22.22 bu. per acre would be about 4550 bu., 
ME AD OEE DL LT cacsivncvancchse's cnceewandow ceveeubereresbans. 5320 
BS AeA a ha oe Taste ici mate Can cetaestere ce $6270 


—$6270 of produce against $5700; profit, $570. With the same 
capital, if we apply the system of strong manuring, one can cultivate 
but 153.45 acres instead of 225, but these 153.45 acres will produce 
$9264.97, instead of $6270. Thus, 


Straw, at, say, $8.02 the acre.......ci.cseeceescecssees $1231.08 
6865 bu. of grain from 44.74 bu. per acre, selling 

ROGUE C565 chic so 0ccecaseesus erp Qoeeuunisnennwer ines te 8033.96 

A ETE SCOT ARMs Step y MIR (RCM A.C LOPS $9264.97 


which raises the profit from $570 to $3564.97. 

You will remark, gentlemen, there is no hazardous innovation or 
revolutionary proceeding, but certain ameliorations of which practice 
begins to gather the fruits. | 

I maintain that grain can be raised at 64 to 70 cents per bushel, 
and I prove it. If it is a revolution, it is at least a revolution of 
which no one can dispute the benefits, and which will be accom- 
plished, no matter what opposition; for truth ‘always ends by 
triumphing over resistance and routine. : 

After having clearly showed the most immediate result attained 
by employing chemical manures, let us prove by facts the exactitude 
of these indications. 

For example, I will take a continued culture of wheat. 

In a period of four years the mean return obtained the acre was 
4260 pounds of straw and 44 bushels of grain. I insist upon this 
result, because I wish to warn you against some dangers in relation 
to azotie matter. x 

When, on the faith of my studies in the laboratory, I commenced 


44 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


my experiments here at Vincennes, having nothing to direct me but — 
theoretic views, which I wished to reduce to facts, I first asked, What 
will be the duration of a good manuring with chemical fertilizers ? 

The manure employed was as follows: 


The acre. 
Phosphate OF Mie wii555 «<a duietede ne (apes sanvuleess decace 395 Ibs. 
Pio tetelse saath sink Gs 425 ea ade le as Eber ow 118: “ 
DDB hc bas rd Avo s5'vtew coset davdine DEEPA ek eee TES 266 “ 
Shel earee icisiasins & 5:4 Caeaen te ride ah be codeine di iY & thay 


which represents 151 pounds of azote the acre. 

The land was given me too late to sow in wheat in autumn; I 
sowed it in March. 

The growth was very pretty ; the stalks shot up with so much vigor 
they fell down, which injured the harvest. However, all things 
counted, the return showed 44 bushels of grain and 8777 pounds of 
straw. | 

The second year the same accident happened, consequent on a still 
more luxuriant growth. It not falling until late, the return was more 
affected ; it descended to 34 bushels of grain and 6168 pounds of 
straw. 
The third year the grain was sown in autumn instead of March, 
and things were different. This time the growth was equally splen- 
did, but the stalks did not fall. So the returns were increased to 67 
bushels of grain and 6168 pounds of straw. 

Lastly, the fourth year I obtained 34 bushels of grain -and 4000 
pounds of straw. 

The total of these four harvests is represented by grain, 179 
bushels; straw, 20136 pounds—giving a mean of grain, 44 bushels ; 
straw, 5034 pounds. 

What conclusions can we draw from this experience? Two. The 
first is, that 151 pounds of azote is too much at one time the acre for 
wheat, because accidents are then almost inevitable: if it does not 
fall, it rarely escapes rust; and if it avoids both, the straw is so fully 
developed that the return of grain is diminished. I propose to you 
the following formule, which at present I consider the best : , 


First Year— Wheat. 
Complete fertilizer No. 1, 1066 pounds. 


Composition : Cuinilliges yeaa 
Phosphate of lime........ besa lah evetie dS 355 lbs. $ 5.40 
Nitrate of potash... ivvciovetagstulds spieeuerse Ut 10.47 , 
Sulphate of amMMONIA..........ccccsereeeeeee 222 9.50 
Sulphate of lime............sssecesseee Gears Sibi D9 

Costa sies cevedtidves GE BikRls Aisne bile eaten $25.96 

Second Year—Wheat. - 
Sulphate of ammonia..............60 Legare 266 Ibs. $11.40 


OnE. is Hs Ni Ie cde eeeek eeorcerscese be deeecerececsaseesees $11.40 


CHEMICAL MANURES. ¢  *46 


Third Year. 


: Complete fertilizer No. 1, 1066 pounds. 
Composition : The acre. 


Quantity. Price. 

Acid phosphate of lime..............:ss0eee 355 Ibs. $ 5.40 
PUTLGRS Ge isp aseisinnns> orn >ss-caedanone ae fee 10.47 
Sulphate of ammonia............ Seer |, ek 222 “ 9.50 
ROIOAGS DTCs, coves is coc sesensacansessne 0 59 
Mess gic kale x secu tes «s\ Ga bwAsatanauienceines $25.96 
EE 1 TUE eC ae a RRR Sa” heicwbionor bad Pek $63.32 

Fourth Year— W heat. 

EROS IEEEG TIOWIN. 554 « sacgxp ess ov68 «SA CAMEL Ugh Chie edie cde $63.32 
Sulphate of ammonia............ 266 Ibs. $11.40 11.40 
ompense 10m 41 YOare.-. 5... .casneunans seguadoaiesls vies 74.72 
Mean expense per yeal..............c.nccceseceseeseoecsess $18.68 


Thus, from an expense each year of $18.68 a mean return of from 
43 to 60. bushels of wheat is obtained. : 

I would advise you to use the following for an alternate culture of 
wheat and colza: 
First Year— Colza. 
Complete fertilizer No. 6, 1155 pounds. 

Composition : 


PROBDDALE. GL NMS... 5 5.005. scenes snc bapomerss 355 lbs. $ 5.40 
TVILPALO OF POLASD: «6 Ci canes sovneaneaiacbrecte 106 “ 6.28 
Sulphate of ammonia..........ccccesseeseeees 350 “ 15.20 
Puipuate Of Hines2.<i..9.- sc) »ssandieahens ovves 300 “ 64 
POTMIONBG . 65 pucet s idcdsiies say's is cies tumenaduas craftOdlN dts $27.52 
Second Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia.............scscseeeees 266 lbs. $11.40 
Ashes of straw and husk of colza......... 
BERN CAONAO 00.01. . « ccicanenh- sear pes cacee on nsitee ms $38.92 
Total Oxpense per yOar’ . ...026 2d, sacs cies cnescescuectson $19.46 


In this case we open the fallow with the colza, which is a weedy 
plant, and by cultivating it clear the soil of bad weeds. After the 
harvest, burn the husk and straw of the colza on the ground, and 
turn it in with the plough, so as to reduce as much as possible the 
quantity of potash and phosphate of lime lost by the soil. Spread 
the sulphate of ammonia broadcast in the spring. 

I pass to a succession of four years, much appreciated in practice, 
and which recommends itself by the facility with which it permits 
the triennial succession to be replaced by the alternate and continued 
successions. It comprehends the following succession of harvests : 

First year, Irish potatoes. 
Second year, wheat. 
Third year, clover. 
Fourth year, wheat. 
These are the fertilizers to be used: 


a 


46 * CHEMICAL MANURES. 


‘ First Year. 
Complete fertilizer No. 3, 887 pounds. 


Comp osition E mC am Price, 
Acid phosphate of lime................0c0008 355 Ibs. $ 5.57 
Nittate of ‘potash. ......:ivcosvapeasieadaakia es 266. “ 15.70 
Sulphate of lime.............. aba eLs stati asthe 266 “ 00 

De Ga ONE AAR ed ERE Cy Gale hl tek og AR | $21.77 

Second Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia......c.....0...csceee es 266 Ibs. $11.40 
Third Year— Clover. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs... 

Composition : 

Acid phosphate of lime.................0.00. 3095 Ibs. $$ 5.40 
Dittete of potashs.355.5,. SR aes iW i 10.47 
Sulphate of lime 2.5 ois. esata ae Ch RIE Oe ad 

EEX Pens i's...» sis une os cag heReueubianh Gos Gunben aed temeh oaeee $16.54 

Fourth Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia.............c.senecsees 266 Ibs. $11.40 

POOL CRBODIE | 8 550 oiun'cdunphy teleoame cay waheptaomerane nan $61.11 

Anutal expenses, 5 :<.04 sedi ceh eect nari eab Ry $15.27 


For a succession of four years, comprehending beets, wheat, clover, 

. wheat, the preceding fertilizers must be replaced by the following. 
First Year-—Beets. 

Complete fertilizer No. 2, double, 1154.16 Ibs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate: of lime... ....,....- +000. 309 Ibs. $ 5.40 
WitrAhS: Are POLS). oticrn ete tetas Lt tO ae 
Nitrate “Of Bode: oles ce tenethethenssh ceeedwetee 355 “ 11.82 
Sulphate of lime................... bi vei 2665/4 50 
POR POMIG 61a sis hen Lista tesensaueGaeeckemnnban bees taaeee xt $28.19 
Second Year— Wheat. 7 
Sulphate of ammonia..:.... 0.00.0... .csee nese 266 Ibs. © $11.40 
hg 6 A gr Tp RS EDA BER Ys $11.40 


| Third Year— Clover. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 877 lbs. 


Composition : | 
Acid phosphate of lime................0005 395 Ibs. $ 5.40 
Nikeate OL POI. 6. ..;-careiiedetslernates sett Wes Be 10.47 
Sulphate of limes. .,........ssrngerassserssocess 355 “ 67 
Beppe bnioich avs. eiadihoaedysnaivens sivisbxepiosy net pi $16.54 
Fourth Year— Wheat. Lin 
Sulphate of ammMonia...........scseeeesereee 266 Ibs. $11.40 
Pobal CXNOOEE, on 6105-45-95 e tannemuneee Renton Paras ty amiga $67.53 


Annual expense............ceeeeee sisetenaeeenseseeeanenees : $18.88 _ 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 47 


I pass to a more complex succession, for it embraces a period of five 
years, and comprehends Irish potatoes, wheat, clover, colza and wheat 
Here are the fertilizers to be employed in this case: 


First Year—Irish Potatoes. 
Complete fertilizer No. 3, 887 lbs. 


Composition : nantly, od Belen 
Acid phosphate of lime.............. Sp 355 Ibs. — $ 5.40 
Nitrate of potash................ CONTA 266 “* 15.70 
Sulphate of lime....... RR ep a i 266 “ 50 

DROBO cg sg ho sce ghac bs oilds tos SPRUE By abs Wandin scenes $21.60 
Second Year— W heat. 
Sulphate of ammonia.............ccecesesess 266 lbs. $11.40 
Third Year—Clover. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs. 

Composition : | 
Acid phosphate of lime.................045. 305 Ibs. $ 5.40 
Nitrate:of potash. 2200.4...) 8es iecasnaneiees se a 10.47 
Sulphate of lime,.............0sessedeescbuees 355 “ Ok 

Bepetiae) 2yoio kta kovis od: cee eI $16.54 
Fourth Year— Colza. 

Sulphate of ammomnia............sccecseseeee 305 lbs. $15.27 
Fifth Year— Wheat. 

Sulphate of ammomnia.............ceceseeeees 266 Ibs. $11.40 

Ashes of the straw and husks of the ecolza.. —— “ ante 

ML OUAL, GCRPIONSO.: cs 524 15-55 < sve meRmeU bag neap ee nine sie $76.11 

Annual expense.....5.5..cissceeeivee odes OE ee 15.22 


‘To show how necessary to regulate the quantity of manure to the 
nature of the plant, I will show the results of three experiments made 
by M. Cavallier on the beet, withthe progressive quantities of sul- 
phate of ammonia, the manner of passing from 71 pounds of azote to 
106 pounds the acre, the proportion of the other terms not being 
changed : 


Roots the acre. 

WW 1tROUEL’ dpotece so 0555 OU ua een See ees b 82,741 lbs. 
With 355 pounds sulph. ammonia................. 32,740 “ 
With 444. * a weeseeeee 42,064 “ 
SW DLO. BUNA NES eed eh eRe 53,012 “ 


You will remark, gentlemen, the correspondence between the in- 
crease of the progressive return and the corresponding increase of the 
azotic matter. What is the financial result ? 

The fertilizer without azotic matter, reduced to minerals alone— 
that is to say, to phosphate of lime, potash and lime—produced 
32,740 pounds of roots the acre. Now, if we take this return as a 
point of departure, we find the excess of harvest, determined by the 
use of sulphate of ammonia, increases in proportion to the amount 
of ammonia employed. 


48 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


With 355 pounds of sulphate of ammonia the profit was $5.47. 

With 444 pounds of sulphate of ammonia the profit was $7.13. 

With 578 pounds of sulphate of ammonia the profit was $20.57. 

These results, which I borrowed from one of the most distinguished 
departments of the Somme, show— 

1st. That the beet requires much azotic matter ; 

2d. That up to 117 pounds of azote the acre the benefit is propor- 
tioned to the amount of sulphate of ammonia employed. 

A succession of six years, comprehending flax, beets, wheat, colza, 
wheat, oats, barley or rye: 


First Year—F lax. 
Incomplete fertilizer, No. 2, 888 pounds. 





Composition : OO Sie! 
Acid phosphate of lime............cc..eeeees 300 Ibs. $ 5.40 
SHEEEAES OE POLAR T2075 they gs ceban sare osant Nh Me 10.47 
Suliphate-of dimen, 6554 Ans cetera 3505 “ 67 

FER BONG sinks vibsis 0s 5 RUAN ASS nce cape nee Ea ye ote Cacteg $16.54 
Second Year—Beets. 
Complete fertilizer, 1066 pounds. 

Composition : 

Acid phosphate of lime.......ssse.+s+ss000s 355 Ibs. $ 5.40 
DUGPST GE OOTNSD U0, asa cumssensaiensonenetty ro Be 10.47 
SUERERUE AT MOC tt i ce wana seat on vuhaitent 266 “ 8.86 
Sulphate of Lime... signs sdovvetanvde~eeyigiete si 266 “ 50 

PUR ICICI ia didn oy. secasadensanocieoi elena cen de $25.23 

Third Year— W heat. 

Sulphate of ammonia..................000+- 266 Ibs. $11.40 
: FURDORIA, Va vidi vinsniiee gos cpaamneeee yee PE Cae srs kes ten $11.40 
Fourth Year— Colza. 

Complete fertilizer, 1152 pounds. 
Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................000 0 399 lbs. = $ 5.40 
Nitratelot potaabies: i. ni ncacsedesbendenverys 106 “ - 6.24 
Sulphate ol AMMONIA.....:.65.,.c0ce-0esc0ese 305 “ 15.27 
Sulphate of Lime. .csisisccasccenisoiercvsecsese SOO Oe 
Expense...... oly oat eres temas re ae ean creates cenee ee $27.00 
" Fifth Year— Wheat. 
Ashes of the straw and husk of the colza } 
turned in by the plough.................. 266 lbs. $11.40 
PES PORRR TY .40 Lbs tide an fh sneip see onae OMEN on come $11.40 | 
* Siath Year—Oats, Rye or Barley. 
Sulphate of ammonia...........0...iseeceeees 177 lbs. $. 7.60 
FES DOH RO cuessns toes vo shes stard hesepeter Loum tiey atta + $ 7.60 
PP OfSd SIRRATING. is. du.sgWovastiuus a vn'sicstenonaeme Ue te Go vate’ $99.67 


Annual expense....... HUTA vutieb ooh se fanny Deanna $16.60 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 49 


This succession of cultures, treated as I show, always gives mag- 
nificent harvests. 

I will end these tables with the two fertilizers which I now consider 
the best for lucerne and the vine: 


Fertilizer for Incerne for One Year. 


, Quantity. ia i 
Acid phosphate of lime............+.ss00e0+ 355 Ibs. $ 5.40 
Nitrate of potash..........0.cscccseesesesnees b hry 10.47 
Sulphate of lime...................ssswesssree 355.“ 67 
EXpense.......00000. Seeronisromen esse (Nt hor apa $16.54 


Fertilizer for the Vine for Two Years. 
Complete fertilizer, No. 4, 1832 pounds. 


Composition : | 
Acid phosphate of lime.................6068- 532 Ibs. $ 8.10 
BMTCERUD GL POG cca ces sch i cess <oumrapeteever 444 “ 26.17 

PiPE Oe OF TIMI. Ds. corso c'sncec pen sms uat yew 305 “ 67 
MER IP Cig cas csrsecncssscss vercandanianeaken cane $34.94 
Annual expense............-.cee00 BA ae anc k ren $17.47 


There is one point, gentlemen, to which I cannot too strictly call 
your attention: it is the manner of employing the chemical fertilizers. 

It is not injurious to spread manure unequally, provided the in- 
equality is not too great. ? 

With the chemical fertilizers, on the contrary, inequality in spread- 
ing may compromise the success of the harvest. This part of the 
work needs particular attention. There is an excellent machine for 
the purpose. When one has not a machine, the best method is to 
mix the chemical fertilizer with three times its volume of earth, and 
spread it broadcast after the last ploughing and before harrowing. 
The addition of the earth corrects the ill effects of irregularity in 
spreading. This mode of spreading, it is true, involves some addi- 
tional expense, but it is fully compensated, for if well spread the yield 
is increased by two to four bushels the acre—that is to say, $5 in- 
crease ata cost of from 40 to 50 cents the acre. Here the care is 
well repaid. | 

Another question now presents itself, gentlemen (which I have 
treated in detail in my discourses of 1864), which need not detain us, 
but on which I must say a few words, to answer certain fears against 
which I wish to warn you. 

Not able to deny the results which I have just shown you, because 
too many agriculturists have verified their ex:actitude, the following 
objection is made: 

“The chemical fertilizers are but a precarious reliance: when their 
use becomes general the price will become so ritised it will be impos- 
sible to employ them.” 

Some few explanations will suffice, I belie ve, to overthrow this 
objection. 

Let us take the four terms of the complete fertilizer separately, 
and balance the sources of each which nature «offers. 

4 


50 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


The Phosphate of Iime.—For twenty years no other source was 
known for phosphate of lime than the bones of animals. It is cer- 
tain, if we had no other source, its use could not become general. 
But it is not so. We know that phosphate of lime forms a part of 
all voleanic rocks, and that in several countries there are sources of 
inexhaustible richness. | 

In the environs of Logrosan, in Estremadura, there are eight or 
ten veins, over an extent of 1000 feet, seventy or eighty-five per cent. 
rich in real phosphate, and whose full extent is not known. There 
are others in Canada and Sweden. 

Phosphate is: found in most marls.. Considerable, deposits have 
been found underlying cretaceous earth, which have become the 
object of a regular working in the departments of Ardennes and 
Moselle. Although not so rich as that at Estremadura, this de- 
posit contains from sixteen to eighteen per cent. phosphoric acid. 

There need be no uneasiness with regard to the phosphates: their 
price will rather be diminished than increased. 

Potash.—The sources from which we can draw potash are three in 
number: 

First. Volcanic rocks, which constitute entire chains of mountains, 
and which contain fifteen per cent. 

Second. The waters of the sea, from which we now extract it with 
remarkable facility by the admirable method of M. Balerd, and 
which would be sufficient, in case of need, for all our wants. 

The deposits discovered at Strasfiirth in Prussia four or five years 
ago are inexhaustible, and from 2000 to 8000 feet thick, spread over 
an undetermined extent. These deposits, which are attached to a forma- 
tion of fossil salt, authorize us in believing that this discovery cannot 
but become general, since the deposits at Strasfiirth are sufficient for 
several centuries, and after them we will have long chains of moun- 
tains and the waters of the sea. 

Azotic Matter—Here, I confess, if we were condemned to employ 
only ammoniac and nitrate compositions, there would be apparent 
reason in saying that the actual sources known are insufficient, but 
new sources are added to these. I will cite, for example, the fabrica- 
tion of coke, which is done in the open air; it will only be necessary 
to make it in furnaces to draw considerable quantities of ammonia 
from it. did . 

But if all three sources failed, we have still the azote of the air. 
My attention has long been directed to this point. 

I have said that some plants draw their azote from the air, while 
others find itin the soil., From this, consequently, there is the possi- 
bility of coming to the aid of the second by the help of the first. 

This method is already applied in culture. Green manures are 
only valuable from this fact. It is then possible to make them gen- 
eral, and to make then more efficacious is to push the yield of plants 
which draw azote from the air to the utmost limit. I will cite lucerne 
as an example, which draws from 266 to 355 pounds the acre of azote 
from the air, which would be sufficient to enrich at least 9.11 acres 
cultivated in wheat. ‘Thus, if all other sources of azotic matter were 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 51 


exhausted, there would always remain the azote of the air, which is 
thrown off by the plants themselves. 

But this is an extreme supposition. When humanity rests upon a 
problem, be assured, gentlemen, at the proper moment the problem 
will be solved. 

The air beifg an inexhaustible source of azote, what remains for 
us to do to have the nitrate and ammonia in illimitable quantities is to, 
discover the most economical method of combining the azote of the 
air with oxygen to form nitrates, or with hydrogen to form ammonia. 
Now this process is discovered, Messrs. Sourdeval and Margueritte 
having found the means of making the nitrate or ammonia at will 
with the azote of the air. If the working of it is limited, it is only 
that, in an economical point, it does not satisfy all the conditions of 
an easy production. But the principle is known, and the solution 
may at any moment be complete. 

I ask, gentlemen, if, in the face of such facts, azotic matter will 
ever be wanting? As to lime, I do not speak of it, for we all know 
there never will be a deficiency of it. 

Assured for the future, let us recapitulate the matter of the past 
lecture. © 

In our preceding sittings we have been employed in defining, by 
the aid of experiments more scientific.than practical, the conditions 
which regulate the production of plants. 3 

To-day, entering the domain of the practical, we have asked from 
the traditions of centuries of experience—that is, from the composi- 
tion of dung—the choice of agents which, in our eyes, are the sym- 
bols of fertility. This test has ended in our favor. Dung contains 
these agencies, and owes its fertility to them. 

To this testimony we have added another. We asked of practical 
agriculture, [If the effects obtained from the chemical fertilizers were 
not equivalent to those obtained from manure? Experience replies, 
They were superior. From which we conclude that the principles 
we hold are incontestable, and there remains for us but to generalize 
their application. 


52 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


LECTURE FIFTH. 


(ER TLEMEN : In practice, we consider 35,555 poungs of manure 
the acre every two years as a good manuring. Our principal 
object to-day being to compare manure with the chemical fertilizers, 
we first ask how much 35,555 pounds of manure contains of the four 
terms composing our complete fertilizer. 

The reply is found in the following table: 


POS EMG eT, OR HC 144 Ibs 
Phoephovriotacid:. crise h eR RE As 66 “ 
POtASHEA IT NCA. SRA DO a 133. “ 
Lame AOA RIE ARERR eae 283“ 


If it is true, as experience demonstrates, that manure owes all its 
efficacy to these four products, you see that its active part is reduced 
at least to one-fortieth of the whole mass. Moisture forms eighty 
per cent. of manure, which reduces the solid part of 35,555 pounds 
to 7111 pounds, of which the hydro-carbonate matter, whose utility. 
is problematic, forms 3000 to 3552 pounds. 

You will not, then, be surprised if I add that with 2053 pounds of 
chemical products one can compose a fertilizer of equivalent richness 
to 35,555 pounds of manure. 

Here is the proof of it: 


Acid phosphate of lime.)................ccceseeeescnecees 533 Ibs. 


Nitrate'of: potash... 2 :fhalt 27 PA BUA 286 “ 
Sulphate'of ammonia.../)) 0.07 OF: #8 
Sulphate of lime............. SRNT, Wel tees dae Sona ees ake, mare 

MUM ey ot ere ka ians ednede nim ete SRaRRE SL nt canbe ar aes 2053 “ 


It is evident as regards facility of use, of spreading, economy of 
transporting, etc., the advantage is with the chemical fertilizers. But 
this is only a secondary point of view; their true superiority rests on 
other causes and is justified by other considerations. | 

The azote of the manure is not immediately assimilable. It is 

the contrary with the chemical fertilizer. This body in manure is in 
the form of animal evacuations and partly putrefied litter, which 
only acts favorably upon vegetation after having submitted to a de- 
composition which completely changes its form; azote is assimilable 
‘only after it is transformed into ammonia or nitrates. Now, this pre- 
vious decomposition has, as a principal result, the loss'of from thirty 
to forty per cent. of the primitive azote of the manure, which is dis- 
engaged in the air in the form of elementary azote. In the chemical 
fertilizer the azote is, I repeat, immediately and entirely assimilable— 
its action, for this reason, being the more certain. 
Here is another still more important advantage in practice. 

You must certainly have remarked, in the formulse of fertilizers I 

gave you in my last lecture, that the nature of these agents varied 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 53 


with the nature of the plant. The position which I gave each one in 
certain categories of plants was not an arbitrary act on my part, or 
the expression of a fancy; it is the result of an important fact, and 
one which is absolutely necessary to you, for its application is greatly 
in favor of the chemical fertilizer. | 

If it is true that a mixture of phosphate of lime, potash and lime 
with azotic matter suffices for all the wants of plants, and for the 
agriculturist is an equivalent for manure, it is also true that each of 
these four terms fulfills, in regard to the three others, an alternately 
subordinate or predominant office, according to the nature of the 
plant cultivated. The azotic matter is the predominant element for 
wheat, colza, the beet: and tobacco; for lucerne, peas and beans the 
azotic matter is of secondary importance, and the predominance of . 
which we speak passes to the potash. Phosphate of lime predomi- 
nates for turnips and rutabagas. 

For each plant, then, there is an element whose influence predomi- 
nates over the three others, and for this reason we will call it the 
dominant of this plant. 

As the first application of these ideas, we will suppose the follow- 
ing rotation: Beets—wheat—clover—oats. 

It is not possible to divide manure; we may vary the quantity, but 
not the composition. We have but two methods of procedure— 
either to put on all the manure the first year, or spread it at different 
times. In the first case, it is true, we obtain a good yield of beets, 
but it is to the prejudice of the following cultures. If we divide the 
manure, the yield of beets is sensibly reduced; and as this culture 
is expensive from the multiplicity of dressings it requires, it neces- 
sarily causes a loss to the producer. 

Things are entirely different with the chemical, fertilizers. We 
give each plant the element which has most influence on its harvest ; 
this has the double advantage of reducing the expense and of raising 
the return to the highest pomt. As proof of the advantage in prac- 
tice of this manner of proceeding, I will cite the example of two 
parallel cultures of Irish potatoes and wheat—one with the complete 
fertilizer, the other with the same fertilizer divided in the following 
manner: the first year, the mineral fertilizer alone; the second year, 
azotic matter. Now, here are the results of these two cultures: 

First Case-—The earth receives enough of the complete fertilizer 
for two years. 





First Year— Return the acre. Price. 
Dvish, Potatoesssisaasas ties «ss 0 csvenesawahee 22,522 lbs. $53.70 
Second Year— a, 
ORE LEEPRW J... ncecserass yess ssc euatien ts 4,640 Ibs. 17.64 

ROOMIILY ccna sccapee deers: on <caeeuabants 44bu. 52.35 
ROURD OL PROGUCIS. «<x ies sso, quhanaendieks scp haence ston $123.69 


Second Case.—The earth is enriched the first year with the mineral. 
_ fertilizer, and the second year with six hundred pounds of sulphate 
of ammonia, 


54 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


First Year— ~ Return the acre. Price. 
Trish: potatoes..csiesidss iss. agape ae acs 21,244 lbs. $12.60 
Second Year— 
Wheat (straw)............. ey E ya ae 7,600 lbs. 28.88 
(SPAIN iS, oa ean oes santa 62 bu. 76.00 
Total ot groductacsass. 000 208 toe Wee Bie $117.48 


You see by this example to what degree the division of the fer- 
tilizer can affect-the returns. | 

Under an economical relation the results are not the less consider- 
able. 

With the fertilizer divided the united returns of the Irish 
potatoes and wheat are $117.48, while with all the fertilizer used at 
once they are worth $123.69—making a difference of $31.66 in favor 
of the first method. 

The advantages resulting from the division of the fertilizer being 
thus placed beyond doubt, you will understand why, a succession 
being given, I do not use the four terms of the fertilizer indifferently, 
but according to the nature of the plant. 

If a succession of beets, wheat, clover and oats is under consider- 
ation, we must concentrate azote upon the beets and wheat, and the 
minerals on the clover, which will leave enough azotic matter in the - 
soil for oats. 

If the succession opens with peas or beans, followed by wheat, 
clover, and wheat again, this time, the minerals being the dominant 
of beans and clover, and azotic matter that of wheat, we will limit 
the manuring of the first and third to the minerals, reserving the 
azotic matter for the wheat—taking care to employ more of it the 
second year than the fourth,.because the clover, which is turned 
under green at the third cutting, constitutes an azotic manure of a 
certain efficacy. 

You see, gentlemen, what remarkable facility the chemical fer- 
tilizers give in practice for obtaining the maximum return with the 
greatest possible economy. They permit you to concentrate on each 
culture the agents most suitable to it. In the last sitting I limited 
myself to indicating these facts, without telling you the reason of 
them; to-day I complete these first practical indications by the 
theory, with both their basis and justification. 

Let us pass to a new question, not less important than the pre- 
ceding. 

We will ask what manure costs in comparison to the chemical 
fertilizers. 

It is not enough that these latter are superior in useful effects and 
facility of application; we must still examine the economical ques- 
tion, to see if, all things considered, the financial result is not also in 
their favor. } 

The cost of manure is one of the most disputed questions among 
agriculturists. Each one makes his own price. Some maintain that 
manure costs nothing; others, on the contrary, that it is very dear. 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 55 


We must-endeavor to ascertain the truth between these two extreme 
opinions. 

I hope to sueceed in doing so, building upon documents from 

agriculturists of the greatest merit, who worked under very different 

conditions. . 

It is by such accounts, and detailed accounts, that this question 
must be settled. 

I owe the one which I first lay before you to the Hon. M. Schat- 
tenmann, who last year received the first honor in the department of 
the Lower Rhine, and a large prize at the World’s Fair, and who, 
consequently, is a good judge in matters of culture. I add that M. 
Schattenmann is moreover a practical man of the first order, and 
entirely competent to decide a question of this kind, no matter how 
complicated. 

Well, according to the account he has furnished me, the production 
of 551 tons of manure and 500 tons of liquid manure costs not less 
than $2869.15, which brings the price of manure to $4.94 the ton if 
by approximation we fix that of liquid manure at 40 cents. 

Thus, according to M. Schattenmann, the manure on a model farm 
cost in 1866, $4.94 the ton. | 

You will notice that this price, which we think very high, rests 
upon exceptional causes, and surpasses the ordinary cost in the cul- 
ture. 

Let us take it, however, as a point of departure : 


148,142 lbs. of straw for: litters)..0...b ec ec. eek $865.48 
984 Ibs. of liquid phosphoric acid.............0c.. 34.04 
Binding and transporting straw for litter.......00....... 19.02 
4750 Ibs. of liquid manure.........cccccseecseceesewesesens 25.72 
Clearing! out the sinks: 01/2. 14 ees yds. Use 1.90 
Wetting of manure............:....000. PARSE Wasik ool en agaty 10.21 
Loading and transporting manure...............0.060- 187.18 
Filling the casks of liquid manure..................005. 13.99 
Tooss OR Beh) 85.1 Uk OL Ek eect 655.04 
BOSS ONS CO WH TIDE: SUA ed a, to. 2 897.22 
Mose Oni Porky. Huish. Bike BAUD ciel. HRI 162.45 
abc ay tres Boe eee beep 2 oo oath AE ceases Gas $2869.15 
500 tons liquid manure, at 40 cts. the ton.............. 200.00 
551 “ of manure, at $4.91 the ton.............00.0085 2738.47 
$2928.47 


The second example is furnished by M. Cayallier, who worked the 
farm Mesnil-Saint-Nicaise (Somme). Here the conditions are dif- 
ferent. : 

With M. Schattenmann we had to do with a production of manure 
joined in all its details to a grand culture of which it formed a part, 
and ‘where the price of manure was influenced by that of the beeves, 
cows, hogs, etc. The paper now before us relates to a simple case, 
the fattening of 800 sheep. Here are the details: 


56 CHEMICAI, MANURES. 


Cost of 800 sheep............065 ahh web ids ark detente $3724.00 
BOULDO0 Lbs. 208 Wal... csv ncuntabudessacthaadec x ckamens 684.00 
Pk OO csr" by MBM ada ete ested | shins als dente Segaouaaue 513.00 
Cost,of ecolza and. weeds: .0<s¢s-shicwysice assjcereverroeslemebe 256.50 
HOPE WORKIN, ... ..cengestmunls seh yeatb vedas sdcopae 95.00 
Interest, cost-of COMMISSION. ..)..5...4.0recseorerceens 47.50 
TOGA ME MDONBC:: 5 asvdtennsacseocenyalsesde dena vnaish $5320.00 
Weal: aan RB. «.. i. 3 TE Es niu ath 4750.00 
275 tons of manure, representing................0000. 570.00 
Lotaliot -tecelpte...65/ A NE Oak he saeee! $5320.00 


‘ hes brings the price of manure to $2.03 the ton; let us put it at 
2.09. 

Observe here, gentlemen, that we have not to do with a general 
ad¢count, in which every detail of the culture is registered. No, I 
repeat, it is an especial account, the result being independent of all 
outside operations—a fattening of sheep with the pulp of the beet, 
which is cheaper than forage. Well, under these conditions the 
manure still costs $2.09 the ton. 

And M. Cavallier observes that if he had used wheat straw, instead 
of colza and seeds from the ponds of the Somme, the manure would 
have cost $3.01. 

The third account I will take for example relates to the farm of 
Bechelbronn, in Alsace. I borrow the elements from the Rural 
Economy of M. Boussingault. According to this account, manure 
costs only 97 cents the ton, which justifies the opinion that manure is 
the cheapest of fertilizers, and costs almost nothing. ? 

But if we examine things more closely, we will find an objection, 
which changes all the economy of this account, and changes the price 
of manure from 97 cents to $2.82. | 

With the same data, how can we arrive at so different a conclu- 
sion ? 

The explanation is very simple, and I beg you will take note of it, 
for it furnishes me an opportunity of warning you against an error 
in matters of accounts into which agriculturists often fall. 

By a kind of tacit agreement, founded on the belief that the pro- 
duction of manure is one of the necessities we cannot avoid, we 
count the consumption of the animal at the price of cost, not at the 
price of sale. But is it not evident that this manner of proceeding 
is defective ? 

When an agriculturist annexes a sugar-boiler or distillery to his 
farm, does he count the beets fed it at the price they cost? No, 
he values them at the price for which he could buy them. When he 
sells an animal, does he deliver it at the price it cost him? No, he 
takes the mercury of the market for his guide. 

To obtain the real cost of manure, expenses should’ be accurately 
divided, to define with certainty the origin of its benefits, and to 
know how much is due to economy and perfection of tools. “In a 
well-directed farm an account should be opened for the stables alone, 
the creditor of all which is a source of real value—milk, butter, ani- 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 57 


mals sold, increase of weight in animals kept, work done by teams; 
but, on the contrary, debtor to the expenses of everything which 
aided in realizing the values put to its credit. In these expenses are 
comprehended the cost of keeping up teams, the wages of drivers, 
sheplierds, etc., and lastly the market value of food consumed, deduct- 
ing ten to fifteen per cent. for what would have been the cost of 
transportation had it been sold. An account established on these 
facts always shows a loss, but the loss is counterbalanced by the 
manure. ‘The loss, divided by the number of tons of manure: pro- 
duced, leads to the real price of the ton. 

Now if, according to these facts, we look at M. Boussingault’s 
account, the price of manure is no longer 97 cents the ton, but $2.62. 

As this is a question of grave import, you will permit me to show 
you this account as two separate items—one headed the arbitrary 
price, the other the real price. 


Cost of Manure at the Farm of Bechelbronn. 





am Arbitrary Price. Real Price,~ ~ va 
Living weight gained by the stable i jf aft 
at 8.07 per 200 Ibs.—135 quintals. $1092.92 oe 
‘Milk not consumed by stock, at \ t pi 
$2.28 the quintal—282 quintals.. 652.96 | $247348 ©. 
Weight acquired by hogs, 21 quin- i ip as 
NE SEE goes be veal Merb ay Eh. 249.40 Waal 
Work of horses, 1200 days’ work , 
at 38 cts! per day... i005... 490.20 5 ‘ se 
$2473.48 \ ‘7 





Balance to debit of the account, 694.32 1768.36 \ pat 
yore 


$3167.80 $4241.84 


Dr. 
pede Price, Real Price. 
1627 quintals of hay and after- 
growth, at 68.4 cents............... $1112.86 | at 94.05 cts., $1530.19 
562 quintals of clover, at 59.85...... 336.55 | at 94.05 . 828.56 
692 bushels oats, at 26.53 cents...... 183.73 | at 49.98 “ 346.01 


244 quintals potatoes, at 40.66 cents 117.83} at 76.95 ‘ 226.23 
654. “  beets,at 23.18 “ 161.59 | at 27.86 “ 173,28 
17% bushels peas, at $1.16............ 20.44 | at $1.16 “ 20.44 
385 quintals straw, at 23.75 cents... 91.45}at 68 “ 263.63 





$2014.25 \ $3088.29 
Keeping teams and other expenses $1153.55 $1153.55 | 
$3167.80 $4241.84 


Cost per ton of above, 710 tons being produced : 


710 tons cost arbitrary price, $694.32—97.79 cents per ton. 
710 “ “ real price, $1768.36=$2.49.6 “ 


It is evident that the arbitrary price is founded upon food given at 
the price of cost, while the other results from food estimated at price 
of sale. Between the two accounts there is a différence of $1074.04, 


yr 
a“ 


: SS 


a 


58 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


which explains why in one case manure is 97 cents and $2.82 in the 
other. 

It is not necessary to add that in the two tables the loss, which 
varies from $694.32 to $1768.36, represents the value of the manure 
for the year. Now, the quantity produced being 710 tons, we find, 
consequently, 97 cents as the arbitrary price, and $2.82 the real price. 
LT told you that the price of $4.94, which we got from M. Schatten- 
mann, was an exception. His farm being new, he was obliged to buy 
a considerable quantity of straw at a time when it. was very dear. 
This point considered, we may conclude from the preceding facts that 
the real cost of the, manure was between $2.85 and $3.80 the ton. 
Let us fix it at $2.85. 

We will now speak of the price of chemical fertilizers. 

In 35,555 pounds of manure there are, as we have already said— 


FOB igs Saabs ia ho cae aeuad Ae Rs Cee eK balla 144 Ibs 
Phosphoriowmeidy ss. s.i.5 ees Rel OPA a, 66 “ 
DORR Biigeis Vaiyinn vad cg-wanins sav Seances bake hae hee 135...“ 
RN cd A BAY TSI Gs occu gs age chang eruw bbe cee se kcawen ys ie 


To obtain the equivalent of this manure under the form of 
chemical manures, we must have recourse to the following products: 


Phosphate of lime sv. ..:.sjs.ce ude) Sbsideeeee oh 533 Ibs. $ 8.44 
Nitrate @F. potasht ..0..icsiitas cease 284 “ 16.57 
Sulphate of aMMOMNIA...... 0.0... cess seeeae eens 497 “ 21.29 
Sulphatevof lmeate: a¥..5) a eas old“ 1.45 

$47.73 


So $47.78 are the equivalent of 35,555 pounds of manure. 

A quantity of chemical fertilizers costing $1.18 can take the place 
of a ton of manure costing at least $1.25. 

Thus, to the advantages already shown in their favor, the chemical 
fertilizers add that of cheapness.- And it is well to remark that the 
quantity which we consider an equivalent to 35,555 pounds of manure 
contains, besides, 17 pounds of phosphoric acid. 

What an array of proof! The returns from the chemical fer- 
tilizers are greater than from manure, and though equal in richness 
they cost less. 

But could not the price ($1.25 the ton) which I have taken for 
manure be lessened? I do not know; and not being prejudiced, I 
will thankfully collect all corrections of my estimates which may be 
given me. ) 

But these are not the limits of the advantages resulting from the 
use of chemical fertilizers. ) 

We will, for a while, set aside all questions of accounts and ex- 
pense, and see to what condition an agriculturist is reduced who can 
only manure his land with the manure it produces. I will take the 
property of Bechelbronn for an example. . ‘ 

This property is composed of 247 acres, of which 185—that is to 
say, a little more than the half—are in meadow. According to the 


9 


CHEMICAL MANURES. , 59 


traditions of the past, this property is in excellent condititn, since 
the production of manure is made equal with the harvests for sale. 

Now, how produce manure there, and how much of it does the 
land receive the acre? 

The production of manure is 710 tons the year, which, spread 
upon 112 acres of arable land and 22.25 acres of upland meadow, 
give a mean of 77 pounds the acre per year. But an annual ma- 
nuring of 77 pounds the acre per year of manure is precarious. You 
all know, gentlemen, to cultivate under such conditions is to cultivate 
without gaining anything. 

You can judge of it by the returns obtained from Bechelbronn : 


Returns per acre. 


yo Te RRR IEP aa a A tA Ne 2 35 bu. 
A Nt SEE MRE UAE AE Ny AAA keke Ce eaten, Sates fis sien 
S| RELI NT RA Co AOE ANB SN eae NR 52,000 lbs. 
WMesdow i008 LE. ced WEA als ae ee, 9090 “ 


At Bechelbronn the culture is for small returns and little profits; 
that is true, fixing the rent at 3 per cent., by great trouble a net 
profit of $627 is obtained. ; 

Thus, here is a domain worth $62,700, which requires a moving 
capital of $6650, and where, because only manure is used, infinitely 
precarious results are obtained, in spite of the high intelligence. di- 
recting it. Is this an industrial situation to be cited as an example, 
and onerwhich is able to contend against importations from abroad? + 

Change these conditions, and see what can be made at Bechelbronn 
by employing chemical fertilizers. 

At an expense of $5.67 the acre, $1140 in all, see what will take . 

lace. j 

3 The returns will pass from 22 bushels to 43, 21 bushels profit— 
that is to say, against a cost of $5.67, an excess of $20, not counting 
the straw. Reduce the profit one-third, if you will, and fix it from 
$15 to $19 the acre, there will always result this important fact— 
that with an increase of capital of $627, we can increase the profits 
of the culture of $627 to $1300 or $1500. Will you remark here 
that I use the lowest estimates? 

This ought not to surprise you, gentlemen, since the advantages of 
high culture are familiar to you. 

Once more, at Bechelbronn, without changing anything in the 
agents or nature of the culture, but by the simple fact of advancing 
$9.67 of chemical fertilizers the acre, the profit may be tripled. 

Here is a convincing demonstration, it seems to me, of the truth 
of the principle that in agriculture there is no profit without abun- 
dant manuring, and in view of the impossibility of producing sufli- 
cient manure for high culture, it is necessary to have recourse to 
chemical fertilizers. 

Here is a situation upon the gravity of which we must-not close 
oa om for foreign importation will soon have demonstrated the 
peril of it. | : 

You may say that this proposition is contestable from the example 


60 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


I have‘chosen, and there are agriculturists whose industry is more 
enlightened—those, for example, who have added sugar-boilers or 
distilleries to their farms, and to whom the importation of fertilizers 
1s not necessary. | 

Even under these conditions the culture, reduced to its own re- 
sources, cannot give manure enough to raise its returns to a point 
which will make profit certain. 

M. Cavallier, whose farm has a sugar-boiler added to it, is only 
able to produce 1000 tons of manure the year, which is hardly suffi- 
cient for 125 aeres, at the rate of 44,444 pounds of manure every two 

ears. 

Well, under these conditions M. Cavallier obtained but from 31,111 . 
to 35,555 pounds of beets the acre, when, with the complete fertilizer, 
he last year obtained 52,966 pounds. You will not be surprised if, « 
in the face of these results, M. Cavallier has decided to regulate the 
economy of his crops on the permanent employment of chemical fer- 
tilizers. 

The conclusion at which I wish to arrive is this: that in the great 
generality of cases the most costly of all manures is the manure of 
the farm. 

In the past this proposition has attained the dignity of an axiom: 
that for successful culture we must have meadow, cattle and manure. 
Now, I affirm that this proposition is at once an economical and agri- 
cultural heresy. | 

' The agriculturist who only uses manure wastes his land. or from 
whence comes the manure? From its depths. The manure does 
not, then, in reality, repair the losses in phosphate of lime, potash, 
lime and azotic matter that the land is submitted to by the exporta- 
tion of a part of its harvests. When we export meat, the loss is less 
than when we export grain, though there is always a loss. I repeat, 
then, this axiom, which, until now, has been made the basis, and, as 
it were, the palladium, of agricultural art, is in reality but an expe- 
dient. It has no right to be so but in the exceptional case where the 
meadow is watered by a stream of limestone water, which gives the 
soil the equivalent of what it loses in agents of fertility; but I repeat, 
this case is so rare it cannot be made a Jaw. 

I have said that a culture founded solely on the use of manure is 
also an economy without judgment. 

Suppose the case of mediocre land, yielding from 11 to 14 bushels 
of wheat the acre; calculate how much time it would take you to 
bring. it with manure to produce 39 to 43 bushels: you would recoil 
before the sacrifices this would draw you into. | 

With the chemical fertilizers the change is immediate, the progres- 
sion sudden, and the benefit immediate also. Now, if you remark 
that besides the profit, the resources in straw are increased from the 
‘first year, is it not evident that, instead of first having meat to, have 
grain, there is a manifest advantage in reversing the preconceived 
order and commencing by having grain—to gain a profit first, then 
straw, and lastly manure? I repeat, then, that we only cease to 
waste our land when we really import manures, and the solution im- 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 61 


posed upon us by the force of circumstances is to raise the fertility of 
the soil by means of artificially-composed fertilizers, with the pro- 
ducts existing in the form of mines in nature, and which seem to 
have been reserved to repair the depredations of the present as of 
the past, and to preserve us from the disasters of the future. 

It is not exact to say that manure, and manure alone, is sufficient 
for everything. What is true is, that there is but one means of ob- 
taining large returns without delay: it is to have recourse to imported 
artificial fertilizers and chemical fertilizers in preference to all others, 
because they are the only ones whose nature can always be exactly 
defined and identified with itself—the only ones, consequently, in 
which there can be no fraud, and in my judgment the most economi- 
cal. Find the real price of products loudly extolled for great virtues 
by certain merchants of fertilizers, and you will find them burdened 
with a profit that the most scandalous usury has never attained. 

To-day, as the first elements of fertility are known to us, we can 
no more be imposed upon by absolute rules pertaining to agricultural 
economy entirely different from the present. ‘To-day, we govern the 
wants of agriculture, instead of being governed by them. I can but 
repeat what I have said in another circle. . 

Agriculturists are no longer under the necessity of producing their 
own manures; they can become producers of manure if, all things 
considered, they find an advantage in it; but if they find it more 
profitable to have recourse to artificial fertilizers, there is nothing to 
prevent them—it is no longer a question of good culture, but of profit. 

When we wish to introduce these new methods on a farm so as to 
arrive at a maximum product, we must work still another change, of 
which I have not spoken until now, and with which I must now en- 
tertain you, since it will result in giving back to cultivation an im- 
portant part of the land which has been heretofore given up to 
forage, without, however, entrenching upon our resources in this 
respect. 

The change in question consists in substituting, as much as possible, 
lucerne for meadow. 

I can call up two testimonies to this, of equal importance—that of 
M. Boussingault, who recognizes lucerne as more profitable than the 
meadow, and M. Schattenmann, who has made the substitution I 
speak of with the greatest advantage. 

Who cannot see that if at Bechelbronn the food of the stock were 
secured, the amount of straw increased, and 33 to 45 acres of meadow 
more than the 125 now in use were added, there would certainly re- 
sult a considerable increase of revenue, particularly if that part cul- 
tivated was enriched by large quantities of chemical fertilizers? 
This result is the more important as it can be realized immediately 
and with a relatively small capital. 

You see, gentlemen, there is no way of escaping the conclusion 
which I must again repeat: the great profit in agriculture is from 
abundant manuring ; what is not well manured is of little value; it 
is only when we pass from small returns to large returns that benefit 
is derived. All our efforts should, then, tend to manuring abun- 


“~~ 


62 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


dantly. I have laid down the principle in this lecture that the 
chemical fertilizers, whose exclusive use I first studied, can be ad- 
vantageously associated with barnyard manure, and I have showed 
you the manner of making this new application. To complete these 
first indications, it remains for me to take up the questions in detail, 
_and show you the most convenient formuls for this especial case. 

This finishing of our first studies is the more necessary, since the 
production of manure is, in a certain measure, a necessity we cannot 
avoid, as it has to do with the working of the land. 

This new subject will make the object of our next lecture. 


’ 





LECTURE SIXTH. 


{\ENTLEMEN: In all clearings of a certain extent the work of 
animals is indispensable; culture by the hand of man is not pos- 
sible when we operate on a scale of importance with regard to certain 
"i ae of large relations, such as the vine, the hop, tobacco, ete. 
repeat, then, when we enter the domain of agricultural tillage, 
properly speaking, the intervention of animals being a necessity 
born of the force of circumstances, manure is produced, and we are 
absolutely compelled to take notice of it and learn to regulate the 
employment of it. | 

I take up the question, then, from the point where I left it in our last 
meeting, and to complete the general ideas I gave you on the use of 
manure and chemical fertilizers mixed, there remains for me but to 
point out to you the practical rules to be followed in such cases. 

Our first example is from a succession of five years, ihe same 
practiced at Bechelbronn, comprehending, as you know, the follow- 
ing rotation : : ¥ 

Ist year, Irish potatoes. 

2d year, wheat. 

od year, clover. 

Ath year, wheat. ; 

5th year, oats. : 

At the opening of the fallow the earth received from 35,555 to 
44,444 pounds of manure. Now, in 44,444 pounds of manure the 
four terms of the complete fertilizer are represented by— 


SRIIR ig ns Vis <'s pas one hE hed CA GEMM ENS oi cos ch von th epee aa 183 Ibs. 
WOUNBT 95 44h Sates Fons \ ets s Le RERRED EDS ohare bbe eousbe canned 156 “ 
PRGapNrse BOM... ><. teseonrnetee says cu ghe kere sues eid ila 
PIAS oasgskaseay p2sd aes os cous reas beghase ios tebteeh ye ree 855“ 


You will remark that at least one-third of the azote of the manure 
is lost to the soil, on account of the previous decomposition the ma- 
nure must undergo before it can show its effects. With so small a 
quantity of manure the returns are doubtful. To change this state 
of things, and put the land under culture, we must at least double 
the quantity of agents of fertility by means of the chemical fer- 


»> 


' CHEMICAL MANURES. 63 


tilizers, and concentrate upon each plant those terms of the complete 
fertilizer which fill for it the office of dominants. or the rotation 
now occupying us I propose to divide the additional fertilizer thus : 


Rotation of Five Years, comprehending Irish Potatoes, Wheat, Clover, 
Wheat, Oats. 


First Year—LIrish Potatoes. 
Manure, 44,444 lbs. j 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 444 lbs. 








Composition : Quantity. " Price. 
Acid phosphate of lime..................... 177 lbs. $2.70 
INE Fate OF POtAetl. 66566. 2 edsei ss est gectan | ai 5.28 
Salphate of Tine... isis. sls eedass Tf Si 39 

RAW idartls veisic vevdisi vive oda teker tae ATES a4ee ks. $8.26 
Second Year— Wheat. i 
Sulphate of ammonia................... 177 lbs. $7.60 
Third Year— Clover. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs. 
Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime................e00++ 355 lbs. — $ -+5.40 
INirate Of POLS. 6. ssc cavesvernecssertye 88 “ 10.47 
NOG OF IMG... c reas cacens te nedess dnuant 305 “ .67 
oitb se fadk aks 5G0¥ 4) say Tip LAG da ag ela as $16.54 
Fourth Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia..................s000 177 lbs. $7.60 
Fifth Year— Oats. 
Sulphate of ammonia...............0.c0000 266 Ibs. $11.40 
086 for five: Years <o5.ci.55csiccdshcgedsecscanded seses' $51.40 


The cost for five years being $51.40, the annual cost is $10.28. 
With manure alone the Irish potato yields 10,666 pounds of tubers 
the acre; wheat, 25 bushels; oats, 43 bushels; and clover, 4400 
pounds of forage. With the addition of the chemical fertilizer, as 
just shown, the yield of Irish potatoes is raised to 17,777 pounds at 
least, that of the wheat to 43 bushels, that of the oats to 65 or 72 
patel, and the clover does not yield less than 7111 pounds of dry 
_ forage. 

If the Irish potato is to be replaced by the beet, the following fer- 
tilizer must be substituted for the fertilizer of the first year: 


Complete fertilizer No. 2, 551 Ibs. 


Composition : Giuwsity. oy ee 
Acid phosphate of lime..............0sceeees 177 lbs. $2.70 
DAES OF OLAS)... ,.stahcaeddeensasededenaee 88 “ 5.23 
PUROIMOE Of GOGH sce cccbdblsiscctetatamie 133 “ 4,43 
Sulphate of, limes... ....: csessces.dabbatie oes 133.“ 14 


64 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


The other fertilizers remaining the same, under this change the 
expense for five years will be brought from $51.40 to $65.64, which 
ne the annual expense, in round numbers, $15.10, instead of 

.28. 

While with manure alone the yield of beets is with difficulty 
raised to 23,111 pounds the aere, with the addition of the fertilizer 
it is raised to 35,000 or 40,000 pounds at least. . 

In the regions favorable to the culture of colza and the beet, as 
the department of the Somme, for example, great advantage has 
been derived by preceding the beet by colza, upon which all available. 
manures are concentrated; under these: new conditions the earth is 
better prepared for the culture of the cereals which follow, and the 
manure, being in a more advanced stage of decomposition, con- 
tributes more effectively to the success of the beets. 

If the preceding rotation is changed in this way, the following is < 
the manner of dividing the added fertilizers : 


Rotation of Five Years, comprehending Colza, Beets, Wheat, Clover, 
Wheat. 


First Year—Colza. 


Suiamtiie The acre. 
Manure......... ERK ct SE REE ee ER 44,444 lbs. 
Sulphate of ammonia...........ss.cseeeees 266 “ $11.40 

Second Year—Beets. | 
Ashes from the burning of the straw and 

husks of the colza. ; : 

Complete fertilizer, condensed, No. 2, 711 Ibs. 

Composition : | | 
Acid phosphate of lime...............0.0.065 266 Ibs. $ 4.03 
Nitrite of Poraens 57a eet ATE 10.47 
Dyas OF SO0R. cy Mee en 1383 “ 4.43 
Malpinte' or Jame. pee oa Cit tees i's 133 “ 14 

MGM np has baSkkiG) 4° vole nea ued ae sans edt te cod Fe $19.07 
Third Year— W heat. 
Sulphate of ammonia...............0.08ceee 177 Ibs. $7.60 
~ Fourth Year— Clover. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs. 

Composition : 

Acid phosphate of lime...............-..00+ 355 lbs.  $ 5.40 
Nitemte OF PObaetiy, |. ssl iin sce sae eee REL 10.47 
Sulphate’ of Time........ 0... .eesccseesee sss oeee 305 “ 67 
COBbacoxstalecs cnnth cueeatepueen ge SctU4 ape aee tes PRemneyS $16.54 

| Fifth Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia............ Beietiqrnuees 177 lbs. $7.60 
Cort for five Years. 2.50. ipeeconsssenag bones? $62.21 


The cost being this time $62.21 for the five years, the anual expense 
will be raised to $12.44. The second wheat succeeding the clover 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 65 


may always be replaced by oats. In this case suppress the sulphate 
of ammonia prescribed for the fifth year, and the total expense will 
be $54.61, or an annual expense of $10.92. 

As a last example, I will report a succession of six years, in which 
the chemical fertilizers are first used alone, and but partly associated 
with manure the second year. 

The rotation is: 

First year, flax. 

2d year, beets. 

3d year, wheat. 

Ath year, colza. 

5th year, wheat. 

6th year, oats, or barley, or rye. * | 

I said the first year only chemical fertilizers ought to be used, 
because their superiority for flax is now beyond question. Flax may 
be placed between the wheat«(which, as you know, requires manure 
rich in azote) and the legumes, which use only the mineral part of 
the fertilizer. It therefore succeeds best with chemical fertilizers, 
because we can then reduce the proportion of azote without inter- 
fering with the minerals. I have cited to you the result obtained 
with M. Charee, whose harvest was sold in the field at $66.57 the 
acre. 

I return to the formule of fertilizers. 


Succession of Six Years, comprehending Flax, Beets, Wheat, Colzu, 
Wheat, Oats, Rye or Barley. 


First Year—Flazx. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 pounds. 


Composition : Quantity. peg 
Acid phosphate of lime............c.seseeees 309 lbs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash.................6. EDR ott “DS b 1 i eg 10.47 
PUIDDALO Ob IMGs. ..00n- sre nisinesssnesbaneaued 300 “ 67 

RNB Giaisa 2idssids «db asin cvpip sie cite as Hest GO Mae neg rede be Vi $16.54 
Second Year—Beets. | 
Manure spread in autumn, 44,444 pounds. 
In the spring: 
Complete fertilizer No. 2 again, 577 pounds, 
Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.............-cessees 177 lbs. $2.70 
PUUPALS OL POTASTE. 04.0-dcnnys er <sorssancentensed 88 “ <4 eee 
PRUTEOLE OF BOEG 60s saiddewaoils oo ncnetesepe sdipens 7 0 hed 5.91 
ST CES 78 a a a mi pee 133“ 25 
APOe bri ti ix cbc daus Avian dis vaddaciaue edd aealbatenk sees $14.09 
Third Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia..............sceeeeeeees 266 Ibs. $11.40 


5 


66 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


Fourth Year—Oolza. | 
Complete fertilizer No. 6, 1044 pounds. 


sew hf: The acre. 
Composition : Quantity. 





Acid phosphate of lime....................28 355 Ibs. $5.40 

Nitrate‘or potash: : 30.) Oar ee 106 “ 6.38 

Sulphate of ammonia.................c..00085 305 “ 15.20 

Sulphate or Hme., .o.-:.., satassveuseiecurave ss 248 “ 64 
DIG haa ita crnichs tsi cakcoddpo cee UMRERENCETELY pay ust cutee $27.62 
i Fifth Year—W heat. 

Ashes of the straw and husk of the 

colza, turned under by the plough. 
Sulphate of AMMonia......... cece eceeee ee 266 Ibs. $11.40 
Siath Year— Oats, Barley or Rye. 

Sulphate of ammonia...............40. preetees 395 lbs. _ 7.60 
ORL CE DEMIR. «5:05 0hesndstly steciioesinghs tsdew pate tes $88.75 
Annual expense............... hs de verns Se eREE +n bioresy $14.97 


Here the expense is greater, but we must consider the nature and 
value of the products. Putting things at the lowest, I believe that 
the harvest in the rough ought not to be estimated over $84 to $92 the | 
acre. 

I could multiply these examples by quoting other rotations, but as 
they come under the same rules, and are deduced from the same prin- 
ciples, it appears to me preferable to recall these rules and principles 
to you, to enable you to substitute your rotations for mine, and your- 
self proportion the formule and quantities of your fertilizer. 

I have already said several times in reviewing, and I must again 
repeat it, manure owes its good effects to the azote, phosphate of lime, 
potash and lime which it contains. 

For if we operate, side by side, with manure and a mixture of 
these four bodies in equal richness, we will almost always find the 
yield from the chemical fertilizer surpass that from the manure. 

I have also told you, and must again repeat, that each term of the 
complete fertilizer fills a dominant or a subordinate office in regard 
to the others, according to the nature of the plant cultivated. Thus 
azote, which is the dominant of wheat, descends to a subordinate 
position in regard to legumes, étc. But here is an essential point, 
upon which I must insist—the dominants show their action only 
under the express condition that the soil is in a certain measure pro- 
vided with the three other terms of the complete fertilizer, 

Azotice matter is the dominant of wheat and colza. Azotic matter 
alone in a soil of pure sand produces hardly any effect, but add the 
minerals to the soil, and the azotic matter impresses vegetation with 
an activity approaching the wonderful, and within a certain limit the 
return corresponds to the proportion of azote employed. 

This being so, you will understand the réle of manure in the system 
of mixed manures. By its nature and mass it necessarily acts with 
slowness, while its action is limited by the previous decomposition of 
its hydro-carbonated parts, which form .95 of the whole. Large re- 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 67 


turns are impossible from manure alone, because the sum of its dis- 
posable assimilable agents is not great enough. And now, if I remind 
you that azotic matter is the dominant of wheat, colza and the beet; 
potash of the legumes; phosphate of lime of the turnip; that the 
mineral without the azote gives the largest return of lucerne; that the 
minerals with the addition of a little azote are best for flax and Irish 
potatoes,—you will not only perceive the rules which guided me in the 
preceding demonstrations, but you will be able by their aid to form ro- 
tations most appropriate to the circumstances in which you are placed. 

This is not all. That the solution of the problem of agriculture 
may be complete, we must not only ‘know the agents which are the 
source of fertility, but must be also certain that their use is not a 
cause of decay-of soil, and that they do not take more from it than 
they return to it. 

So, to give the examination of this subject a character of severity, 
precision, and at the same time a generality which makes my conclu- 
sions without appeal and applicable in all possible cases, I embody 
them in these terms: Can we indefinitely cultwate the same land with 
chemical fertilizers, and with the same success? My reply is absolute: 
Yes, that is possible, but always under two conditions: 

ist. Give the land, through fertilizers, more phosphate of lime, 
more potash and more lime than the harvests have taken from it. 

2d. Give it about 50 per cent. of azote to the harvest. 

I say about, because there are some plants requiring less, and others 
can do without it entirely. 

Here the first question presents itself: Why more minerals and less 
or no azote? Why? But you have already answered. Because a 
part of the azote of plants comes from the air, and there are even some 
which draw it entirely from that source. The quantity of azote given 
the soil varies from 6 to 50 per cent., according to the plant. If we 
have to do with the legumes, it is 6 ; if we pass to wheat, it is 50 per cent. 

We must return an excess of phosphate of lime, potash and lime 
over what the land loses, because plants draw them exclusively from the 
soil, and we must-not only compensate the soil for the loss determined 
by each harvest, but repair that resulting from the action ofthe rain. 

Let us examine if the formula of fertilizers I have prescribed will 
fill the two conditions I have just pointed out. 

I told you in my last lecture that wheat may be cultivated upon the 
same land indefinitely, provided it is furnished in four years with the 
following quantities of fertilizers, thus divided : 


A Succession of Four Years in Wheat. 
First Year— Wheat. 
Complete fertilizer No. 1, 1066 Ibs. 


Composition : AND F epee Sen 
Acid phosphate of lime...............sceeees 355 lbs. $3.40 
PistAte OF potash...5.6..sbesdecssscsestongeaks DEG ic 10.47 
Sulphate of ammonia..............0esseeces a 9.50 
Bribenate-G0 Gai6s. 020.05. 28a) es daneeds BLL .64 


68 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


Second Year— W heat. 


Quantity. a pee Price. 
Sulphate of ammomnia...............seccceeee 266 Ibs. $11.40 
Third Year—W heat. 
Complete fertilizer No. 1, 1066 lbs. 
Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime..................0: 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash.....0.06....c06.0000063 MAS. LTT: 10.47 
Sulphate of ammonia.................0000008 man! Bea 
Sulphate of lime.wci.). vais Botiicasais 311 “ 64 
eee. IR RR Aa iA at $26.01 
Fourth Year—-Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia............. dist biocwicas 266 Ibs. $11.40 
Y «> oben eepenae sav sky >in en ainss sehicmn't teinesmaneacbue chads $65.82 
That is to say: | 
Azote, 241 Ibs., equivalent in harvest to............. 482 lbs. 
PROS PRGME AGIA. . <5. ALTER UAE ks 106 “ 
Potashes (i... 5 S205. OA Ae lial ike Ua Sea aia 165 “ 
TD rie PES oo TRE AA, A ANS 256 “ 


By means of these quantities, renewed every four years, we may 
easily obtain four harvests of from 44 to 50 bushels, and 4444 lbs. of 
straw the acre. Now, if we draw a balance between what the fer- 
tilizers furnished the earth and what these four harvests took from it, 
we will find an excess in favor of the soil: 

Fertilizer. Harvest. Loss to soil. Gain to soil. 


Azote, 241 Ibs., equivalent to 482 lbs. 241 


Phosphorie acid..............+0+ 106 “ or. a 19 
DRE eek toe iis oh ns pas kacearoa tenes i as Aba at os Bi ge 66 
MORDD J wibetes esate Saxe a Cape b ete RIG eh ak 214 


You will see, gentlemen, the balance is closed by a general excess 
in favor of the fertilizers. In the face of these numbers we may 
with certainty conclude that we have nothing to fear in the future 
from the use of these chemical fertilizers. . 

My experiments in burnt sand—confirmed by the culture of the 
field at Vincennes—which have continued now more than eight years, 
seem to me to put this conclusion beyond all contest. In the preced- 
ing examples I have intentionally admitted that the whole of the 
harvest, straw and grain was lost to the domain. I have besides 
admitted that the land was cultivated by the hand of man. By this 
double supposition the demonstration is carried to the extreme. It 
is true that this situation is to be regretted; it is found in France 
among the small farmers, who are almost entirely without manure, 
and who, by the extent of the interests they represent, very painfully 
affect the public fortunes. 

I now take up an alternate culture of colza and wheat, and I still 
suppose the straw and grain are sold. The fertilizer comprehends 
four years, ‘ 


’ CHEMICAL MANURES. 69 


Azote, 276 lbs., equivalent in harvest to............... 552 lbs. 


PROB DIOEIC QRaetir ar. - sbaesocsossssnunugetipeae av aaras anil 106 “ 
POR ee ee soe oc cae ae sieht 99° 4 
Lime ....... BW cerasacs qhpveress<o+shs¢sne anaabesan tt Avestan’ zi6 ** ! 
The four harvests of colza and wheat contain— 
Re ee EBLUL «Uh ot AT 20. kcanndue dy Sobpmun debe «tauhin 524 lbs 
Be TST URE faye noe os sis os achansd eng gnahilin Sag dnidocnn'nl 108 “ 
IAA ho 8 cn dling udu saleaniind« bad Relais aetna abdinies + 8 pass! Bh 
PM ey Nth aU. ods wep « dosvncossiamnat dena waceds habwns ad. Me 


This time, if we make the balance, a grave fact strikes us. The 
earth is decidedly the loser in two points, potash and phosphoric 
acid : 


Fertilizer, Harvest. Loss. Gain. 
PRIM das hha oh pas cual « 552 lbs. 524 ee 28 lbs. 
Phosphoric acid......... 106 “ 108 2 Ibs. 
PINON cas sn FB ass Goes ciaeied LS Upeiaeitiiatin: 1 Yaeiseae # WRy aa 
RN sp 2a 3 Sete vod xg mami 2 Oa 249 ‘ie 25. “ 


There is here no illusion; the earth is decidedly in deficit. The 
fertilizers proposed are insufficient, and their continued use would end 
in injury to the fertility of the soil. Nevertheless, in reality, these fer- 
tilizers are sufficient, and the land is not wasted. These apparently 
contradictory facts are easy to reconcile. To simplify the discussion, 
I admit that the preceding culture is done by hand, and that straw 
and grain are sold. Gentlemen, you are not ignorant of the fact that 
though the wheat straw may find a ready sale, it is not the same with 
the straw and husks of the colza, which have no commercial value, 
and which it is sometimes almost impossible to dispose of. Under 
these circumstances it is natural to seek a use for them. Suppose we - 
burn them and spread their ashes over the soil. The earth will thus 
recuperate more in potash and phosphoric acid than is necessary to 
compensate for the deficit. 

This restitution, consequently, immediately shifts the balance. 
The earth was the loser, and now, on the contrary, receives an excess. 

To show you how the remains of the harvest that are without com- 
mercial value can acquire an importance as a source of fertility, 
permit me to show you the composition of two harvests of colza, and 
to make over our balance, while the straw and husks have been 
burned on the soil and only the grain exported : 

Composition of Two Harvests of Colza. 


Harvests. Azote. Phos. acid. 


Potash. Lime. 
Straw, 20,656 lbs. 21,480 lbs. 30,980Ibs. 6,628 ]bs. 19,924 Ibs. 
Husks, 9,216 “ 10,376 “ 1,916 “ 29,408 “ 28904 “ 
Grain, 9,356 “ 39,192 “ 12,028 “" 6648 “ 3,040 “ 
Balance rectified by burning the straw and husks of colza. 
Fertilizers. Taken off by harvests. Gain to soil. 


MI SL cuca VEde ss ds ve 1244 Ibs. 1180 lbs. 64 lbs. 
Phosphoric acid......... 240 “ 218 “ 9 as 
gi Co oe eee 224 « 17S" 46 “ 


TAME. 5505. betes geaeee 624 “ 4 io" 548 “ 


70 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


This new example shows us, gentlemen, the necessity, in making 
up the cost of a rotation, to consider as lost to the soil only those 
products really taken away; the residue, which becomes manure and 
returns to the earth, ought not to be comprised in this category. 

A third case can be shown, always without the use of animals, in 
which the small producer far from a railroad or a town can sell 
neither the wheat, colza nor straw. What shall he do with them? 

He has a choice of two methods: he can either burn them, or con- 
vert them into true manure by rotting them. 

If the straw is laid in horizontal beds, and watered with water in 
which several hundred pounds of little cakes of colza have been dis- 
solved and-allowed to stand, this liquid, acting as urine in the prep- 
aration of manure, very rapidly determines the decomposition of the 
whole mass: at the end of fifteen or twenty days the dissolution of 
the woody parts is complete—the straws have lost their texture and ~ 
passed into a semi-viscous form, approaching that of manure. | 

Which of these two processes is the better? By putrefaction we 
avoid an important loss of azote, but then we have the cost of hand- 
ling in carrying the straw, preparing the manure and spreading it; 
by burning we avoid this expense, but we lose the azote, on which we 
are dependent for an amount of sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of | 
soda. 
I repeat, the choice of these two is indifferent to me: they are 
equivalent in practice; the expense alone need determine us. 

If we pass to a more general case, where the work of the field is 
done by horses, and where the production of manure becomes a 
necessity, we cannot avoid: the problem remains the same, and the 
rules which have already guided us are still applicable. _ 

In a word, what is the nature of manure? Its origin has told you. 
It is vegetable products modified by animal digestion; manure, as 
the residue of the harvest, draws its value from the azote, phosphate 
of lime, potash and lime which it contains. 

I will now give you the balance of the rotations in which manure 
is associated with the chemical fertilizers, because the importance of 
the real loss undergone by the soil depends then upon the exporting 
of the vegetable products and the raising of stock; but to give you 
the means of making this estimate for yourself—always necessary in 
every well-directed labor—I have united in one table the mean com- 
position of manure and that of all the harvests comprised in the 
rotations shown, so that all the work is reduced to several multi- 
plications. (See APPENDIX.) 

Let us now look at the question of chemical fertilizers under their 
financial relations, and take as a first example the case of a culture 
by means of chemical fertilizers alone. Nothing is so variable asan 
agricultural account; everything affects it—the neighborhood, the 
plentifulness or scarcity of hands, and the agricultural régime itself. 
It is impossible to show such an account without exposing one’s self 
to all sorts of objections, which each one draws from his particular 
situation. ‘To escape this inconvenience, I will limit myself in the 
following valuations to the price of fertilizer and value of harvest, 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 71 


leaving each one to draw from this parallel the conclusions applicable 
to his own situation. 

The return being 44 bushels of grain and 4444 pounds of straw, 
if we fix the price of grain at $1.23 the bushel, and that of straw at 
$6.65 the ton, the harvest represents the value of $151.05. 


OD Bi deten ede tbedphiede sane omit oancuentcenghntkrssd- wees $151.05 
Against an annual cost of manure of...............04 41.93 
MiMOGeE GE PRODUCES. 22. 562s sade eacge dln guh oceans $109.06 


You will tell me perhaps that in this valuation I have not counted 
the cost of transporting the fertilizers. The observation is just. 
Let us, then, add to this the sum of $5.70; the excess in favor of the 
haryest will be $103.36, to cover the rent of the soil, taxes, cost of 
culture and interest on capital engaged. 

I am going to examine a second hypothesis, which applies particn- 
larly to medium and large cultures—a working directed by the old 
traditions, but whose returns are small, and which we wish to transfer 
to the order of high cultures and large returns with little means. To 
give more precision to what follows, I will again take the farm of 
Bechelbronn for an example. 7 

There manure alone is used, and of the 247 acres which compose 
the domain, 135 are devoted to meadow, and only 112 to cultivation, 
properly speaking. The rough sum of the yearly products is $3919.70, 
obtained by the aid of a rolling capital of $6650. : 


Culture with Manure Alone. 





RETURNS. PRODUCTS. 
in cule: The acre. Total. The acre. Total, 
Irish potatoes..... 15% 10,871 lbs. 171,218 lbs. $46.44 $731.43 
Bees Bk: 6%. 23,419 * 158,078 “ 80.18 541.21 


Wheat (grain)... 45 2,672bu. 1,202 bu. 30.46 1,370.90 
Wheat (straw)... 45 2,883 Ibs. 129,735 Ibs. 6.84 ~—- 307.80 
Clover ....ecscces- 923 5160 “ 116100 « 26.93 605.92 
Oats (grain)...... 223 45 bu. 1,012bu. 25.56 575.10 
Oats (straw)...... 22} 1,665 lbs. 7,462 Ibs. 3.12 — 70.20 


OAL Prodwertom, 0.04 22. eeaeeadeney. conc tadewed ee ots $4,202.42 


Now, by means of an increase of manure, at $10.13 the acre, the 
rough sum of the products will be carried from $4202.42 to $5951.96, 
leaving a profit of $1749.46, instead of $627. 


Culture with Manure and Fertilizers Mixed. 





RETURNS. PRODUCTS. 

Acres. The acre. Total. : “The acre. Total. 
Irish potatoes..... 152 17,777 lbs. 124,444 Ibs. $76.00 $1,197.00 
1 6% 35,555 “ 239,999 “ 54.04 364.77 
Wheat (grain)... 45 43 bu. 1,985 bu. 49.40 2,223.00 
Wheat (straw)... 45 4,000 lbs. 180,000 Ibs. 9.45 425.25 
Ho ea 22%. 4,444 “ 99,980 “ 37.15 835.87 
Oats (grain)...... 224 65 bu. 1,462) bu. 36.05 811.12 
Oats (straw)...... 22% 2,222 lbs. 49,995 lbs. 4,22 94.95 





obi prod wetlon.n..45 si .vinaeredowbanetenicheis blab ak $5,951.96 


72 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


Rough products by the mixture of manure and 


Chemical fertilizers....i2.ccec soos onasciepie ven seideclue $5,951.96 
Rough products with manure alone...............06. 4,202.42 
Difference in favor of first system............. $1,749.54 


—$1749.54 excess of product against an excess of expense of 
$1140, the profit is 100 per cent. The rolling fund was originally 
$6650, increased to $7790, and the profit was threefold. I need not add 
that the price of sales was the same in both cases. I admit without 
change those that M. Boussingault took as the basis of his valuations. 

Is this resulta maximum? Far from it. I have fixed the returns 
at 20 per cent. below their real value. 

Here are the results obtained by M. Lavaux for three years from 
the farm of Choisy-le-Temple (Seine-et-Marne): 


hOGG: Wheat 2. kA SH, AU ie 53 bu. 
TSOG, cobweb. 5 ood a Ra 48 “ 
1867, March wheat........ peek ides BS A 49)“ 
LSB Sj OOH Sc. os cides ccccdav hs eabeead eS aE As ASS 53,333 Ibs. 


The increase of profit realized on fifty acres, which form the culture 
of Bechelbronn, is not the only advantage to be drawn from the 
chemical fertilizer. 

On the 4474 acres composing the domain, to produce manure 135 
acres must be devoted to the meadow, the returns from which hardly 
exceed 3600 pounds of hay the acre. 

By means of an appropriate formula this return can easily be 
brought to 7111 pounds, which will put, without any diminution of 
products, 33 to 40 acres at our disposal for other culture. 

You know that this result will be more surely attained by repla- 
cing the meadow with fields of lucerne. 

The use of chemical fertilizers in the case now occupying us pro- 
duces two equally advantageous results—viz., to increase the return 
of all the cultures; to reduce the surface devoted to the raising of 
cattle without diminishing the number of animals; or to increase the 
number, if we like best, to at least 30 per cent. 

When the agriculturist has no fixed idea as to the true agents of 
fertility with which he should precede the production of manure and 
cereals, and draws all the fertilizers from his own land, he cannot 
give the meadow less than the half of the whole surface without 
wasting the soil and condemning himself to an almost inevitable 
ruin. 

In the economy of this régime the principal use of the meadow is 
to throw off into the air the azote that the cereals ought to find in the 
soil; and the animals being the only method of preparing manure, 
the hay of the meadow and the straw of the cereals are compounded 
as if of one nature. 

With the chemical fertilizers the agricultural problem is simplified, 
and becomes susceptible of a more independent solution. ‘There can 
no more be a question of absolute rule. The maxim, Make meadows. 
and raise cattle to have cereals, loses the character of an axiom which 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 73 


has been given it. I will add that now this axiom is agricultural 
nonsense and an economical heresy, because with the use of manure 
alone the returns are always poor, and the wheat costs at least $1.05 
the bushel, which is not profitable. I say, then, that this axiom has 
lost its character of a necessity imposed by the culture itself. 

And I repeat, what you already know, that from the moment the 
true agents of fertility are known to us, we make manure only as we 
find it profitable; for the rest, we will employ chemical fertilizers. 
It is no longer a question of culture, but simply a question of profit 
and loss. 

The necessity imposed upon the agriculturist is not to make ma- 
nure, but to manure more abundantly than in the past by whatsoever 
agents he may have recourse to, manure or chemical fertilizers, em- 
ployed separately or simultaneously ; but in all cases two rules are to 
be observed: you know them. However, as they sum up the last 
word of agricultural science, I feel obliged to repeat them to you: 

1. Give the earth more phosphate, more potash and lime, than the 
harvests have taken from it. 

2. Give it fifty per cent. of the azote which they contain. 

You know now in what the new processes differ from the old. 

In the past, you were under the empire of a law which ruled you; 
you were forced to give the meadow and animals a part destined to 
maintain the equilibrium. 

In the past, the sole origin of azotic matter was the meadow— 
potash, the phosphates and lime provided by the meadow or manures 
made irregularly. 

In the past, where the meadow was the sole source of manure, the 
returns were necessarily small, because in this case the sources of fer- 
tility were always insufficient. Thus, wheat did not exceed 26 to 30 
bushels the acre; Irish potatoes, 8888 to 10,000 pounds; and beets, 
26,666 pounds. Now, under these conditions agriculture is become 
impossible. 

Nothing rules us to-day but the necessity of keeping animals for 
draught and transportation ; beyond this necessity we possess a liberty 
of action without limit: we would make forage and manure only 
when, all things considered, we found advantage in it. 

And if we should raise them, we can, on a relatively restricted 
surface, produce more food than formerly, because we can increase 
the returns ftom the meadow as from other cultures. 

We are compelled, it is true, to the necessity of giving the soil 
more than we take from it, but the observance of this law does not 
impose upon us the obligation of producing manure beyond what 
conforms to our interests. We can satisfy it by the aid of foreign 
manures, whose nature and qualities are clearly defined, and can be 
regulated with entire certainty. 

o whoever reflects, to whoever seeks to comprehend the problems 
which agitate our century, it is not difficult to perceive the connec- 
tion which exists between the great interests of our country and the 
question we are now seeking to solve. At a time when the ways of 
communication had not the development they have acquired, the 


74 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


interior roads offered certain and easy openings to our agricultural 
products ; but since we have obtained liberty of commerce and facility 
of means of transport, agriculturists are called upon to contend in 
our own markets with the entire world. That the contest may be 
possible and fruitful, it is absolutely necessary that the returns from 
all cultures be raised to their limit. By the old methods this is im- 
possible, and besides, would exact so formidable a capital that it is 
not to be thought of. 

With the chemical fertilizers the question is different. It is re- 
_ duced to this simple proposition : To add to $10.18 worth of fertilizers 
the acre all the manure at disposal, or to pay out $15 to $20 if one 
has no manure; and the result will be changed by an immediate 
excess of harvest, representing twice the value of the excess of cost 
it occasioned. ‘There is neither a doubt nor objection to be raised 
against this proposition. It is a fact. 

May the new methods that the farm of Vincennes is destined to 
make known receive a more and more general application. I invite 
the severest criticisms upon them ; and if the progress which I expect 
from this criticism throws my efforts in the shade, I will console 
myself without too much sadness, persuaded that from the applica- 
tion of these new methods my country must draw an incalculable 
increase of wealth and prosperity. 


APPENDIX. 





PRACTICE AND DOCTRINE. 
FORMULZ OF FERTILIZERS. 


sg facilitate research and comparison, I unite in this Appendix the 
formule of rotation and fertilizers under consideration in the 
course of these lectures. 

I cannot but repeat, since my experiments haye passed from the 
domain of science to that of practice, that I have found great advan- 
tage to be gained by the use of chemical fertilizers in fractional 
quantities. ‘The division of the fertilizers has, over manuring all at 
once, the double advantage of causing less expense the first year, and 
producing larger returns. 

The following formule have been fixed according to this new 
method of application. . 

I have considered here, as in the lectures, two distinct cases—the 
one where the chemical fertilizers are used alone, to the exclusion of 
manure, and the other where they are associated with it under the 
title of supplementary fertilizers, whether we have to do with isolated 
culture or culture by rotation. 


FIRST CASE. 
Here the chemical fertilizers are employed alone, to the exclusion 
of manure. 


IsoLATED CULTURES. 





| Wheat. 
Complete fertilizer No. 1, 1066 Ibs. 

Composition : Quantity. rhea  Bescn 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Wiiwate.of potash. .is si. .is.sdssssenencaes Ee Oe 10.47 
Sulphate of ammonia..............eceeees 222 “ 9.50 
Mulphate of lime. 3: 2280s. siaviedsannades 8 a 59 

YOM A sc esleens SB gets ao, chanun cans 1066 Ibs. Cost... $25.96 


75 


76 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


Barley, Oats, Rye—Natural Meadows. 
Complete fertilizer No. 1, 533 Ibs. 





Composition : Quantity. Se ai es 
Acid phosphate of lime...............0605 177 lbs. $2.70 
Nitrate of potash. ....0ssis0isc-cescterevsins-) 1 88.0 ~8.23 
Sulphate of ammonia...................008 ie be 4.75 
Pate. OF TMM. 0 0s.5 stizesecedteweuseur ns 155 “ } 29 

Whole stsciisi. .aghindyse epee 533 lbs. Cost... $12.97 


The fertilizers may be used on the meadow in two ways—spread it 
on the soil at once in the autumn; or in two separate times—266 lbs. 
in the autumn, and 266 lbs. in the spring, after the first method. 


Hemp, Colza. 


Complete fertilizer No. 1, 1066 lbs. 
If the colza is to be followed by wheat : 
Complete fertilizer No. 6, 1154 Ibs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 395 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash,:.......<ciassssecsceess he ed 7.39 
Sulphate of ammonia.................... — «B55 15.20 
Sulphate of: lime................cceeeceeene “297 “ 64 
Nie hasiah ob -Leilenmtechekend saeres 1154 Ibs. Cost... $28.63 


Beets, Carrots, Cabbage, Hops, Garden Stuff. 
Complete fertilizer No. 2, 1066 Ibs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potashicis.biivie..s. sesesisens Lees 10.47 
Wittate Of Soda}. .22. 005 5. 266 “ — -8.86 
Petiphate Of LMG. 500 0 iieccsedpaunsavnvees 268. “ 50 
AK ects kPa Pa Fee east ve aeA Ne 1066 Ibs. Cost... $25.23 


For beets, when we can push the returns to their highest limit, we 
must substitute complete fertilizer No. 2, double, or, better still, in- 
tense complete fertilizer No. 2, for complete fertilizer No. 2. 


Complete fertilizer No. 2, double, 1155 lbs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime...............06 355 Ibs. $5.40 
DRINAED OF POLS. 5s cup neysesecrssmnceses 1389 "* 10.47 
THEGPRAS OT BOB. ie 52. es ap sccondvp aeenese 355 “ 11.82 
Sulphate Of lime, .->.:..-eeiganssononusacvae 266 “ 50 
ORAL ists ws cshnaparb eden sentence opanbaee s 1155 Ibs. Cost... $28.19 

Complete fertilizer No. 2, 1422 lbs. 

Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.............0600. 533 Ibs. $8.21 
Nitrate of potash..............seeeessees ike BOO ER 20.94 
WWitrate Of B008....:.issviws.siivsscscaseate 266 “ 8.86 
Sulphate of lime........... goa svbdie cubs 4s 268 “ D0 


Totab ise APEC HEN 7 1422 Ibs. Cost... $38.51 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 77 


Irish Potatoes. 
Complete fertilizer No. 3, 887 Ibs. 

Composition : At Rs acath. gh 
Acid phosphate of lime..............608. 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Witante OF POLE. iiiel sss ceaed eet. 266 “ | 15.70 
Sulphate of Time 205.2 oo ees, ates ence 266 “ 50 

2 YT PP ANOS SEG {2 IPSBBRENG pape Pes T 887 Ibs. Cost... $21.60 


On wasted lands the complete fertilizer No. 2, to the quantity of 
1066 pounds, is preferable. 


Vines and Small Shrubs. 


Complete fertilizer No. 4, 1333 lbs. 
Composition : 


Acid phosphate of lime................4. 534 Ibs. $8.21 
Priteate Of potash!) 25.01... .ceerccaseowses 444 “ 26.17 
Werphate: of lime.) oe iok. cates. dotenhe 305 “ 67 

POEM ei sa nua aswasbitines space ease tees 1333 Ibs. Cost... $35.05 


The complete fertilizer No. 2 has also a very good effect upon the 
vine. I even advise you to begin with it on vmeyards whose product 
is of an ordinary quality. 


Turnips, Rutabagas, Artichokes, Sorghum, Sugar-cane, Maize. 
Complete fertilizer No. 5, 1066 lbs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 534 Ibs. $8.21 . 
Nitrate of potash........ ideo iibidiwes eases gh A Sag 10.47 
Sulphate of lime............ as «4ehebaee 355 “ 67 
RAR oie tcccdaghh S2i%as y ere civcascacee 1066 Ibs. Cost... $19.35 


Beans of all kinds, Clover, Sanfoin, Vetches, Lucerne. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 Ibs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 355 lbs. $5.40 
TUUETALO OL, DOGAEM. .spennesdasize uy nanedyy aus by Oy 10.47 
Sulphate of Jime...'......::.0c0cescesssedes 355 “ 67 
OUR susie castles es teekc sks oa nen.ccvevens 887 Ibs. Cost... $16.54 


Theoretically, this fertilizer ought not to contain azote; potash 
ought to be exhibited in the form of a carbonate. The nitrate of 
potash is substituted on account of the price. The quantity of azote 
introduced in the fertilizer rises to only 24 pounds the acre, and is too 
small a quantity to be injurious. | 

I now pass to cultures by rotations. 


78 CHEMICAL MANURES, 


SUCCESSIONS. 
A Culture Exclusively of Wheat. 


! First Year— W heat. 
Complete fertilizer No. 1, 1066 pounds. 


Composition : Quantity. at pune 
Acid phosphate of lime...»....... Mpa 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash.................4 dipslbaiie 277) 5 10.47 
Sulphate of ammonia..........0.0..200 222, “ 9.50 
Sulphate: of; lime:. :...54-icppisican> spehh onde Dhol 09 

DRG cw ciiighniadck susuiormaiecen GRIEG 1066 Ibs. Cost... $25.96 
Second Year— W heat. # 
Sulphate of ammonia................000 266 Ibs. $11.40 
Third Year— Wheat. 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 305 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash: pb dee. ieis bitch bene tk x 5.23 
Sulphate of ammonia...............c000+ 222.“ . 9.50° 
Sulphate of. Hime... 5 .i:c.5...+000nsenebyos 312 “ 59 
WY NRA sive poncn sng aeahinet se 1066 Ibs. Cost... $20.72 

| Fourth Year— Wheat. , 

Sulphate of ammonia.................066. 266 Ibs. $11.40 
PGR PRMMO TOT TOUT YORTS sii si vienscarteaettudencousane $69.48 
LUXPOMEWPEH OVOATS. «06 scicdssnabevtepeeenuvddavsedeteeaes eek $18.68 


The exclusive culture results in favoring the multiplication of bad 
weeds to such a degree that, to maintain the harvests at a mean level, 
we must. have recourse every year to several workings, which occa- 
sions a great deal of expense. To escape this inconvenience, substi- 
tute Irish potatoes or clover the third year for wheat. If this is 
done, employ the following fertilizer : 


Acid phosphate of lime.............0000+ 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash. .............s00sesusseees 266 “ 15.70 
Sulphate ‘of Himes: ). 2.0 al Wn wees 266 | 00 

Whole sels. (nhh A. catenedlabe dons 887 Ibs. Cost... $21.60 


This change reduces the expenses of the third year to $4.34, and 
changes the annual expense from $18.68 to $16.48, 

If we give the preference to clover, we must reduce the quantity 
of nitrate of potash by 88, which brings the expenses of the third 
year down to $11.48. 


Alternate Culture of Colza and Wheat. 


First Year— Colza. 
Complete fertilizer No. 6, 1155 Ibs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime...............++. 309 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash... ...5:5.«+<-ashssenddes wg AOC AE 3 7.39 
Sulphate of ammonia..................0+ 305 “ 15.20 
Sulphate of lime......1......02racccacessoe 337 “ 64 


WY balactss.idedlitvabtssecemonahins 1153 Ibs. Cost... $28.63 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 79 


Second Year.— Wheat. 


The acre. 
Quantity. Price. 
Sulphate of ammonia............cseceeees 
Ashes of the straw and husks of the colza, 266 lbs. $11.40 
TOCA CAPONE, IIo oc oes ee Re eeea se eeavauaene $40.03 
EXXpetise GO. YOAT ys. 10... 00 .ncees Seats daeirs ceneeeeeehy@s $19.46 


Burn the straw and husks of the colza on the field, and sow the 
ashes over the surface of the soil after the first working ; then spread 
the sulphate of ammonia when the earth has been worked a second 
time. Instead of burning the straw and husks of the colza, you may 
rot them according to the directions given in the Sixth Lecture. 
The use of the straw and husks of the colza is then confounded with 
that of the manure. | 


Rotations of Four Years, comprising Irish Potatoes, Wheat, Clover, 
Wheat. 
. First Year—LIrish Potatoes. 
Complete fertilizer No. 3, 887 lbs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash, (eee... ec eseecesee 266 “ 15.70 
SSCATS. OF LIMO. 525s senses over vntidbas 266 “ 50 
MBL Th sith a4 das oeeainnts Sberl epee 887 Ibs. Cost... $21.60 
Second Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia..............0e000 266 Ibs. $11.40 


Third Year— Clover. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 Ibs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime..............+++ 355 Ibs. $5.40 
PUTO OL TIOTASDT .. o35).5. 5 ance ecncnaesuses 177.“ 10.47 
Sulphate of lime.......... Geetctesavennege 300 “ 67 
PSR ro Poseadel ical ccusajocddbaamee 887 Ibs. Cost... $16.54 
Fourth Year—W heat. , 
Sulphate of ammonia...............060608 266 Ibs. $11.40 
A OCRE CRO Ls 52 07> oubcrdcehgumernnk edocs rederds $62.04 
PA TBNUB Ey GERI ao ae 0 5 5 civ nyc eu ccona can tauaalatdd aa beosiape ste $15.20 


Rotations of Four Years, including Beets, Wheat, Clover, Wheat. 


First Year—Beets. 
Complete fertilizer No. 2, double, 1155 Ibs, 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime................+ 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate. of potash... ..022).asecdvesvst sets ATG SS 10.47 
Nitrate of soda..............0. favnnvoebantee 305 “ 11.82 
Balpnate of lime... 6.5.0.3. <cessevaseneats 268 * 50 


FOUN hc cusdis ts tveckschstvaeraves .-» 1155 Ibs. Cost... $28.19 


7 


80 CHEMICAL MANURES, 


Second Year— Wheat. 


The acre. : 
=i Quantity. Price. 
Sulphate of ammomnia.........cccceecenee 266 Ibs. $11.40° 
Third Year— Clover. | 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs. 
Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.............0064. 399 lbs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash..........00..se00 darter tS Ar a 10.47 
Sr phateOl UMC. :..ns0ndo beers apreretace 300 “ | 67 
TOL: 45 chk. ci vies nsdes rane 887 Ibs. Cost... $16.54 
Fourth Year—Wheat. — 
Sulphate of ammonia.........0csereees 266 lbs, $11.40 
LOUBE BEENOREG .... < swiczets ss MciWiy Gees peepee ds <bkonsiene Cape wale $67.53 
ATUBL PEPSI sav. sige inven tains x Rapeadiebiatan bar vue vebieee $16.99 


Rotations of Five Years, including Irish Potatoes, Wheat, Clover, 
~ Colza, Wheat. : 


: First Year—Ivrish Potatoes. 
Complete fertilizer No. 8, 887 Ibs. 


Composition : : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 350 lbs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash,...0c0 cont. s.ssceeesenee 266. “ 15.70 
. Sulphate of lime.......... cee bine shh 56 266 “ | 50 
BOTA oh iink » ve cugmemenbad's) -shaenaah 887 Ibs. Cost... $21.60 
am Second Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia..................60 266 lbs. $11.40 
Third Year— Clover. met 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 Ibs. 
Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.............:020008 355 Ibs. $5.40 
PRUE OE DOLARI. ass penn ose ac tre gue ape tf a | 10.47 
Bubstinte of Limes : i646 ods sss gceag uayetes ays 355 “ phate, 14 
MORAITG eae Ee atone 887 Ibs. Cost... $16.54 
| Fourth Year—Colza. 
Sulphate of ammonia...........4.:.c00005- 355 Ibs. $15.20 
Fifth Year— Wheat. 
Ashes of straw and husks of colza....... 
Sulphate of ammonia................ceeee- 266 Ibs. $11.40 
Total expense............+ ddevdsesuagdagiaieerbaseccartdnad $76.14 


SA nih Ox PAO EAL senncnasussevecasstavtavetapsaNphabueie $15.20 


CHEMICAL MANURES. . 81 


Succession of Lwo Years—Maize, Wheat. 
» First Year—Maize. 
Complete fertilizer No. 5, 1066 Ibs. 


The acre. 





Composition : Quantity. .-» Price. 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 534 Ibs. $8.21 
Nitrate of potash.............. Ree ee * hi7., 10.47 
Sulphate Of Time.-.....seeeeessseeeees sees 300. “ 67 

INES Pee Aina A RII RA * 1066 lbs. Cost... $19.35 

Second Year— W heat. 
Sulphate of ammonia..................... 266 lbs. $11.40 

TIOCAEXDENSE,. A Dehascccs cosa ccdausnaeins rebdear POL. Lies $30.75 . 

Amnial Cx pehseseb...c ices ss crap dacdsh awe era. Via cs $15.32 


Rotation of Six Years, including Flaz, Bae Wheat, Colza, Wheat, 
Oats, Rye or Barley. 


First Year—F'laz. 
icmwion fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs. ° 





Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................... 555 lbs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash...) ....ccccsceceecceceses AT 10.47 
Pulphate of lime... olives sisi case stsaaaces 305 “ 67 
PORN 2 sicas tl den Cercsteetie tvs ova eagalt 887 lbs. Cost... $16.54 


Second Year—Beets. 
Complete fertilizer No. 2, 1066 lbs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash...........6.0...0..seh beds 179 “ 10.47 
TAME OL BOOK. 50 is sins oie os ova svccunes 266 “ 8.97 
pretpriate of lime, 40 j2rh. 0. ccc eacs 266 “ OO 
PRRNARE  vink aban vs icc Sek Sok potecnonnedenes 1066 Ibs. Cost... $25.34 
‘ Third Year—W heat. 
Sulphate of ammonia................00.... 266 lbs. $11.40 


Fourth Year— Colza. 


Complete fertilizer No. 6, 1155 Ibs. 
Composition : 


Acid phosphate of lime............... ... 00 IDs, $5.40 
Witrate of: potash. -..5..l.vcevsie sede 106 “ 6.28 
Beipente: Of RONG... ie. ces casceoee.. oe cn saxe 305 “ 15.20 
Suliphate of dime2!. Citi. cas seveceess 337 “ 64 
PI Gas iss cup ceennas ATOR roe 1155 Ibs. Cost.... $27.52 — 


Fifth Year— Wheat. 
Ashes of straw and husk of the colza 
turned under by the first ploughing. 
Sulphate of ammonia..............ccc00e5. 266 lbs. $11.40 
6 


R2 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


Sixth Year— Oats, Rye or Barley. 


The acre. 





Quantity. Price. 
Sulphate of ammonia...............00-0008 177 lbs. $7.60 
Lott SOR PONRS vri.s'5 ada poe ermulcuiesed cones cosentamenaee $99.80 
ADAUST CS POMBE cas ois Gains sieseas ain sonics shine peer $16.54 
Rotations for Forage. 
First Year— W heat. 
Complete fertilizer No. 1, 1066 Ibs. 
Composition : | 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 355 lbs. $5.40 
PRPIMRC GE, DOCEED.4...c0cckspnasnumecwancs bY sah: 10.47 
Sulphate of ammonia................ naa 122..." 9.50 
PST OL, MIMO os as cscamiwesnirh 312 “ 9 
WU OEE ks vss shines Seem aames chee an 1066 Ibs. Cost... $61.11 
Second Year—Clover. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 Ibs. 
Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime...................: 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Niteate of potash tiie. hc cig tudeswnose iy 10.47 
Sulphate of limes: isch o. sek see cece a's 355“ iret 
MUM Malia § «siti LG hatin pxasnevenocseelan’ . 887 Ibs. Cost... $16.54 
Third Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia............:....c000 266 Ibs. $11.40 
Fourth Year— Vetches, Beans, Maize, mixed. 
_ Complete fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs. 
Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................4. 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potas JOU Li) sisscwcssncisinecs ONY & Gig 10.47 
PORES: OF TIE. cial iantssccevenes ane 305 “ S75 
EN. os vs cee dua nan salasusa ce aseetke 887 lbs. Cost... $16.54 
! . Fifth Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia................:.668 » 266 lbs. $11.40 
g Sivth Year— Vetches, Beans, Maize, mixed. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 Ibs. 
Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................065 355 Ibs. $5.4 
Di shrate OF otal sis ck iipas << sep bniehtuss eb'ce May 10.47 
Sulphate; of; Lines. ig cent ssevicnvcnrvtcas 355 “ 67 
POUB cule hain ieadtaie nes eedeueaesteaa rs 887 Ibs. Cost... $16.54 
Total expense.......... ARS ecan oisarpnhy pI CR Re CA $98.73 
PX peMse THe VOR Gs eas eden a ts cea easnedeesiel ioe eateh $19.75 


CHEMICAL MANURES., 


Fertilizer for Meadow. 


First Year. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs. 


Composition : Quantity. 
Acid phosphate of lime........ .......... 359 Ibs. 
Nitrate of potas sc st ae 
PELARES OP MING le se dcvcacecasesssens 355 “ 

AMER ais LEG hide d NYS p's an «6a edie wad 887 lbs 
Second Year. 

Sulphate of ammonia...............0.0605 266 Ibs. 

SP otal expense: )0y. 8h. 55.5 Soph ic Lanta | 

PAB LAOKPONSO sci5, .4.5 00+ cs sennegsos nape ener cus 


SECOND CASE. 


83 


The acre, 
Price. 


5.40 
10.47 
67 


Cost... $16.54 





The chemical fertilizers are employed as auxiliaries of manure. 

When we employ the chemical fertilizers in concert with manure, 
we must consider the latter as equivalent to a fund of richness ac- 
quired by the soil, and limit the chemical fertilizer to those of its four 
terms which are most suitable to the culture in hand. 

It follows from this that it is of the utmost importance we should 
_ know the dominant of each plant; the following tables are designed 


to furnish this first indispensable indication : 


Nature of Culture. Dominants. Corresponding Chemical Products. 


Beets. 
Colza. 


Wheat. Sulphate of ammonia. 
Barley. Azote. Nitrate of soda. 
Oats. Nitrate of potash. 


Rye. 

Natural meadow. 
Peas. 

Beans. 

Clover. 


Sanfoin. Nitrate of potash. 
Vetches. | Potash. Purified potash. 
Lucerne. Silicate of potash. 


Flax. 

Trish potatoes. 
Turnips. 
Rutabagas. 
Artichokes. 


Maize. Phosphate. Ashes of bones. 


Sorghum. 
Sugar-cane. 


Superphosphate, 


Supposing 44,444 pounds of manure were used every five years, 
the following are the chemical fertilizers to which we must have 


recourse : 


84 CHEMICAL MANURES., 


Rotations of Five Years, including Irish Potatoes, Wheat, Clover, Oats. 
First Year—Ivrish Potatoes. 
Manure, 44,444 pounds. 
_ Complementary chemical fertilizers : 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 444 lbs. 


Composition: — Quantity. ate Price. 
Acid phosphate of lime....... 1 Ay aoa wa 177 lbs. $2.70 
Witrate of potash. ......c.cli cn ccsscsens sues 88 “ 5.23 
Sulphate of lime. }.........0ccbes pecoas 179 “ 83 

fic A mnneeeRe ee More SC 444 lbs. Cost... $8.26 
Second Year— W heat. 
Sulphate of ammonia.......c.......c0e0ee 266 lbs. $11.40 


Third Year-—Clover. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs. 
Composition : 





Acid phosphate of lime..................: 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate ‘of potish.: 2. ee eS LW og 10.47 
UI Bie or Fume ail, eri. 355 “ 67 
ALOMAR iy fairs oe iN ppg cen anaee dey eh st 887 Ibs. Cost... $16.54 
Fourth Year—Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia................00008 177 lbs. $7.60 
‘ifth Year— Oats. 
Sulphate of ammonia.................c000 266 Ibs. $11.40 
LOtal EXPONsGl je i. ici.shovecasvived says savenwewpasse bbw ohare $55.20 
ABDMAL CX PCNAG.. sp s-e0s: tencanehovdnnad cats cess secteensiar $11.04 


Rotations of Five Years, including Beets, Wheat, Clover, Wheat, Oats. 
First Year—Beets. 
Manure, 44,444 Ibs. 
Complementary chemical fertilizers : 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 533 lbs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime...............06 177 lbs. $2.70 
Nitrate Of pote iiss ecctesaseseiis 88 “ OS 28 
Watrete of boda Kaiti ta... s.c. cosa 133 “ 4,40 
Sulphate: of Tae iii. ...0, <.adcee edie se 133 “ 25 
Wt). ciinditnspcwsiviesneaiaeastnaws 531 Ibs. Cost... $12.58 
Second Year— Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammonia.............ceese0 177 |bs. $7.60 


Third Year— Clover. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs. 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime............00008 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Mitrate 10f Hotes os sncnakc canes Lieeeten es i ¥% stay 10.47 - 
Bullphiate, of Lite, ous co nos sccmensaiseod naa 355 “ .67 


POR die (eee aaaee le: 887 Ibs. Cost... $16.54 


CHEMICAL MANURES, 85 


Fourth Year— Wheat. 





Quantity. Penney Pric>. 

Sulphate of ammonia................ .60 177 lbs. $7.60 
Fifth Year— Oats. 

Sulphate of ammonia...................4. 266 Ibs. $11.40 

Total expense......... rede ub teksts seh eaniahes een iys LA $55.72 


Rotations of Five Years, including Colza, Beets, Wheat, Clover, Wheat. 
First Year— Colza. 


Manure, 44,444 lbs. 
Complementary chemical fertilizer : | 
Sulphate of ammonia.............-:000+4 266 lbs. $11.40 


Second Year—Beets. 


Incomplete fertilizer, condensed, No. 2, 711 lbs. 
Composition : 
Ashes of straw and husks of colza. 


Acid phosphate of lime.................. 266 Ibs. $4.05 

Watrate of potash. .i1-feris......--sceeee es 3 & phos 10.47 

PERUPALO Of BOGR, «66205 cittidenesescasengnns 133 “ 4.40 

Praee OF 10. cairo ces cesce scons ss 134 “ 2 

IMLS 65.6) w'vhccains 4h iarede gh ct¥s 3 Otneagis 710 Ibs. Cost... $19.17 
Third Year— Wheat. 

Sulphate of ammonia..............06..068 266 Ibs. $7.60 


Fourth Year— Clover. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 lbs. 





Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime................., 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitfate of potash: ............00ntiides Lie, < 10.47 
PiUsperate OF UME i... ii awed vee BOO 67 
PROG: eighties DureAy ob S300 enceean 887 lbs. Cost... $16.54 
Fifth Year— Wheat. . 
Sulphate of ammonia................6.66 177 lbs. $7.60 
Ota) CXPOBRE Lola ioia ss cues adda eaenes Pea tees $62.31 
PEEAUGWOX PCMAG. Ui 9. ods sews vf csauetoaesadtes sable Sie $12.56 


Rotation of Six Years, comprehending Flax, Beets, Wheat, Colza, 
Wheat, Oats, Rye or Barley. 


First Year—Flax. 
Incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 887 se 


Composition : 
Acid phosphate of lime...............0064- 355 Ibs. $5.40 
WAEPALG OL POASD 145-4415 icaesiesnsticacs LET 10.47 
abate OL LINO, 4 nc nade s wees Seg taas oy 355 67 


MotWiccec vias ain ea. acdavods ae 887 Ibs. Cost... $16.54 


86 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


Second Year— Beets. 
Manure spread in autumn, 44,444 Ibs. 
In the spring: 
Complete fertilizer No. 2, 533 Ibs. 


Composition . ; Quantity. bias hh “Price. 
Acid phosphate of lime................6.6. 177 Ibs. $2.70 
Nitrate of Potash... cc ccsu ce weve scenste ys OO.” 5.23 
RATE: OF IER ioe. os cases sub oneneneana 133 “ 5.91 
MU PALE OF, LING... ,..5.5ccrrscsieasvaunvenses 133 “ 25 

Total....... SrA ap" at tel cb ia 533 Ibs. Cost... $14.09 
Third. Year—- Wheat. 
Sulphate of ammomnia..........s0.scsseseees 266 lbs. $11.40 
Fourth, Year—Colza. 
Complete fertilizer No. 6, 1155 Ibs. 

Composition : : 
Acid phosphate of lime.................. 355 Ibs. $5.40 
INGTRES Of DOLRBD Secon as iiessoascnhse ts 106°“ 7.39 
Sulphate of ammonia..................... 355 “ 15.20 
Sulphate of lime...................:.c2000 339 “ 64 

NE ol@deuth. ssvipsgiccaisatcescuies paves 1155 Ihe Cost... $28.63 
Fifth Year— W heat. 
Ashes of straw and husks of colza 
turned under by the first ploughing. 
Sulphate of ammonia................0s0c00 266 lbs. $11.40 
: Siath Year. 
Sulphate of ammonia................:0060. 177 lbs. $7.60 
Total expense.......... haha tan osu bekemaatatade cash caper atan tia $89.66 
ARN MAL CS NONI cs seinverangnserneszcmend nes *<eearag ented $14.92 


Instead of commencing by a trial on a large scale, I prefer to use 
the chemical fertilizers on a smal! field for the experiment, which 
does not cost more than $1.68 to $2.11, and by means of which we 
acquire positive facts in regard to the agents of fertility which the 
soil especially requires, and the extreme limits the harvests can attain 
on the land on which we wish to operate. 





PRESERVATION, PREPARATION AND SPREADING OF 
CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS. 
As a general rule, chemical fertilizers must be kept in a dry place 
—a granary, for example. 
When you prepare the mixture of the products yourself, the opera- 
tion, without being difficult, requires a certain amount of care. First, 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 87 


the mixing must be as perfect as possible; if this is not done, the 
little roots of the plant do not find the different agents at once, and 
their good effects depend on their association. 

When you make the mixture yourself, it is necessary to procure 
the acid phosphate of lime several months in advance. At the time 
of preparation this product has a pasty consistence which makes it 
difficult to mix, but at the end of two or three months it becomes 
powdery. 

Here is the rest of the process. 

First, spread the phosphate of lime on the ground and then cover 
it with plaster. In twenty-four hours mix the two products with a 
shovel, and leave them in a heap for two or three days. Then spread 
this on the ground and mix in the other products by a vigorous spad- , 
ing, and finish off by mashing the lumps with a pestle, made by fixing 
a vertical handle in a piece of oak plank 8 or 12 inches in diameter 
by 4 inches in thickness. The mixture finished, it is absolutely neces- 
sary to pass it through a sieve and submit it to a new spreading. It 
must be well borne in mind, in making this fertilizer, that each 
thread-like root must be able to absorb all the products of the com- 
position at the same time. Now, this result cannot be obtained if the 
mixture is not homogeneous. 

_ The spreading of the chemical fertilizers also requires exceptional 

care. The best, without comparison, is to make use of the admirable 
machines now made for spreading pulverized fertilizers; with them, 
the result leaves nothing to be desired. If I add that an intelligent 
spreading raises the return by two to four bushels of grain the acre, 
you will see how important it is to be careful. 

If you do not possess a machine, and the spreading must be done 
by hand, the best method is to mix it with its own volume of fine dry 
earth and sow it broadcast like grain. When we work under these 
conditions, the fertilizer had best be put in little heaps over the 

‘ground on which it is to be spread. | 

If the culture is one of legumes, peas or beans, the fertilizer must 
be spread after the first working, and finish the thorough incorpora- 
tion of it in the superficial soil by an energetic harrowing. __ 

For tap-rooted plants, which go down to a great depth, it is best 
to spread the fertilizer twice—half after the first working, and the 
other half after the last working. 

The following is the process which has best succeeded with the 
vine. 

Spread half the fertilizer on the surface in tracts 12 inches wide 
and 8 inches from the rows of vines, and turn it under deeply with 
the spade; the rest of the fertilizer is spread over the worked surface. 

This may also be done by the plough, always 8 inches distant from 
the vine; open the furrows 12 inches deep, spread half the fertilizer 
on the bottom of the furrow, cover it with earth, and spread the rest 
of the fertilizer over the surface. 

The vine should be manured in the fall. 

I think it best for the meadow to spread half the fertilizer in the 
fall, and the other half in the spring, after the first cutting. Choose 


88 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


a calm day for spreading broadcast; in case of wind, some may be 
lost. 

{ will not go again over what I have said of the advantages the 
chemical fertilizer has over the manure, by the power it gives of 
varying the composition of the fertilizer, but I must insist on the re- 
sources drawn from their use to overcome the effects of an unfavor- 
able season. When the winter has been severe and prolonged beyond 
the ordinary limits, grain and seeds of all sorts are often very much 
injured. With 177 pounds of sulphate of ammonia,.or 311 pounds 
of nitrate of soda, mixed with 177 pounds of plaster, spread as a 
covering in the beginning of March, in a few days we can change the 
condition of the crop and be certain of a harvest. The effect of a 
top-dressing of this manure is truly magical. 

But here there are also precautions necessary; you must not wait 
later than the middle of March. Given in April and May, it throws 
such extraordinary activity to the plant that the maturing of the grain 
is retarded, and consequent on the exaggerated development of the 
straw the grain is malformed—there is but little grain, and that is 
stunted. 

Top-dressing with manures, by the certainty and rapidity of action, 
offers a resource of inestimable value to the agriculturist. 

When the autumn is rainy and the sowing late for want of time, 
the fertilizers can be used as a top-dressing after the grain is well up. 
It.is certainly the best method to spread the fertilizer before sowing, 
but when that has been impossible, you should not hesitate—a top- 
dressing will assure a good harvest. Now with manure this is use- 
less. 

In the spring use only sulphate of ammonia or nitrate of soda as 
a top-dressing. These two products may suffice in extreme cold. I, 
however, prefer to associate them with 177 pounds of acid phosphate 
of lime the acre, mixed with 177 pounds of plaster. 





EQUALIZATION OF CULTURE. 


I have already told you that a judicious agriculturist must take 
account of what the soil receives and what it loses. He ought every 
year to make a balance of his cultures, and regulate the quantities 
of fertilizers to satisfy these two laws : 

1. Give the soil more acid phosphate of lime, more potash and 
more lime than the harvest has taken from it. 

2. Give it 50 per cent. of the azote of the harvests. 

Finally, to put each one so he can make this balance himself, 
which is done exactly-when done with discrimination, the following 
table is given, showing the composition of those plants which form 
the chief rotations. 1 must remark that all these’ analyses are from 
plants harvested from the farm of Vincennes, and all grown under 
the same conditions—that is to say, with the complete fertilizer, 
where azote enters at 71 pounds the acre. 


CHEMICAL MANURES, 


Composition of 100 parts. 


Fundamental elements of vegetable production. 
A. 


Half-dry Crops. rater. 


Wheat of March: 


REPAIR c . on es ceases 147.50 
EB IO, cicinse anurans 148.00 
RCLOAY cis nacni eal tnn ae 150.00 
Winter Wheat: 
(STAI isd idedcstadves 154.00 
Hiagk id. a castisess 105.60 
Strawiiivevedh.a.. 103.60 
Barley 
Grain eaitn:. 154.25 
Pee eh i 130.83 
eo a ue ee ea 132.50 
Peas: 
rrerrer 2 8 Re 191.00 
fo Ri ey oa 166.50 
RW 2c. ce eee 1385.50 
Beans 
RUE a cn ces sa ak 170.01 
AE dS xe ragit ons 185.04 
Pea eee 203.20 
Colza 
Oe ae 81.50 
fe Ee ater 149.50 
oF RST See 136.25 
Cabbage 
ERB VERS 5 e's sadist vive 146.00 
PROOES shi5 it cis- «thas 168.00 
Lucerne............. 123.09 


Composition of 10,000 parts. 


Green Crops. Water. 


Leaves i....c..0005 9265.40 

Roots)... c0c0.. .... 8625.00 
Trish Potatoes : 

Rebers iyei foes. : 7873.40 

MP ALES «E0505 AS cae 


89 





hake. Phos. acid. Potash. dea. 
23.62 8.93 6.09 0.57 
9.07 2.50 , 4.19 5.40 
5.43 1.80 4.43 3.50 
28.29 6.80 5.02 0.51 
10.12 1.89 1.42 1.95 
8.19 1.18 3.16 2.10 
20.59 9.49 Yih) 4 oe 0.77 
10.06 2.70 9.96 9.60 
T.A17 1.48 11.56 6.60 
49.58 12.55 12.26 0.90 
13.62 5.50 - 13.79 2.17 
15.39 4.05 8.24 28.06 
53.90 12.55 12.26 0.90 
14.80 5.50 13.79 2.17 
26.60 41.05 8.24 28.06 
41.89 12.86 7.13 3.25 
11.04 2.08 31.91 31.15 
10.40 1.54 8.21 9.55 
“evi 7.52 17.10 54.10 
Bt seb 10.60 34.90 12.60 
32.33 7A0 25.10 


31.38 


Fundamental elements of vegetable production. 
Ly Ee 





cr 


Azote. 


301.17 


89.05 


Phos. acid. 


6.68 
11.49 


9.20 


Potash, 


16.04 


45.84 
33.51 


Composition of 1000 parts of Moist Manure. 


Fundamental elements of vegetable production. 


Manure at Water. 
Vinecennes.......... 800.00 
Bechelbronn....... 790.00 


Bouxwiller......... 790.00 
Jn 1000 litres of.. 974.00 


PS eat 


* 
Lime. 


7.45 
4.14 


1.90 





Azote. Phos. acid. Potash. ithe: 
4.16 1.76 4.62 10.46 
4.00 2.00 2.60 5.62 
5.38 2.65 8.12 7.76 
1.13 0.10 7.00 0.04 


90 3 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


Composition of 1000 Parts of Dry Manure 


Fundamental elements of vegetable production. 
Pen 





Manure at Water. ee. Phos. acid. Potash. Lime. 
Vineepnes 4). kg ee 20.80 8.80 24.60 52.30. 
Bechelbronn..........0 ss... 20.00 10.00 26.00 28.10 
Bouxwiller............ are ee 25.67 12.65 38.75 37.06 
In 1000 of residue of ...... 43.45, 3.94 230.97 = 1.88 





EXPERIMENTAL FARMS. 


I have repeated several times, and do not hesitate to repeat again, 
it is by experimental fields that I like to see agriculturists begin the 
use of chemical fertilizers. First, an attempt upona scale as reduced 
as it was unfortunate could never take the proportions of a financial 
mistake, and that is for me a consideration of very great importance ; 
nothing impresses a practical man like the contrast these fields show 
him; in face of these contrasts, he instinctively feels that there is a 
power until now unknown or misapplied. 

The reasons of the differences that these returns show are not at 
first clear to him; he hesitates; but presently the light breaks, and 
then it is almost with the conviction and fervor of religious senti- 
ment that he speaks of the effects he observes, and of the great loss — 
of which they are at once the proof. You may judge by this letter: 

“The harvest of beets around me will be more than mediocre. I 
alone am fortunate, and I am so by the application of your methods. 
I bless you, and I gather with happiness the fruits of my immovable 
faith in your ideas. I say, my immovable faith. I say it intentionally; 
for when it was seen that I was applying your methods, there was a 
war made upon me, sometimes open, sometimes sullen, and always 
implacable. ye 

“'They sought to warn my tenants of me, telling them my success 
was ephemeral—that I was preparing bitter regrets for myself by 
foolishly spending enormous sums, and that in the end I would waste 
’ their land. s 

“They did more. My experimental fields are admirable; they 
carry with them the most striking proof of the certainty of their 
methods. That was not noticed by my enemies. They broke down 
certain sign-posts for guiding the attention and examination of 
visitors; they overthrew others; they went so far as to change them, 
and to put, for example, the post indicating a mineral fertilizer in 
the place of .one for complete fertilizer; and then they repeated 
everywhere that your fertilizers had no real value, and that these 
experiments proved the contrary of your promises. Fortunately, 
the fraud is perceived ; truth will assert itself, and I hope now that 
the authors of this inexplicable misdeed will be made known.” 
We will add that the author of this letter, who first began by one 
experimental farm, to-day possesses ten of them, and has put 250 
acres under the treatment of chemical fertilizers. 

You see by this example, to which I could add many others, I am 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 91 


right in insisting you should begin with small experimental fields. M. 
Layvaux, at the farm of Choisy-le-Temps, where the chemical fer- 
tilizers are employed on nearly 675 acres, begun with a modest little 
experimental field. 

After what I have just said, you will not be surprised if I speak 
in detail and with a kind of partiality of the rules to which you 
must bind yourself, in order to draw from an experimental field all 
which can possibly be drawn from it. 

A judicious agriculturist, and one animated by the desire to do 
well, ought to make two kinds of tests here and there over the whole 
extent of his domain, to know the true wants of the soil; this consists 
of peas and wheat sowed near each other on squares of 1 to,2 yards. 

If the two plants succeed equally well, the indication 18 certain 
that the soil is provided both with minerals and azotic matter. If 
the peas succeed and the wheat gives but a poor return, you may be 
certain the land is provided with minerals and wanting in azotic 
matter. Finally, if the return of wheat, without being excellent, is 
better than that of the peas, it is a sure indication that the soil con- 
tains azotic matter, but is wanting in minerals. These are certain 
and easy means of acquiring positive indications of the differences 
of comnosition shown by the different parts of a domain. But these 
idications, although very useful, are not sufficient; they must be 
pushed farther to find. out what minerals are wanting, both in the 
superficial and deeper beds of the soil. That is done without dif- 
ficulty by means of the experimental fields. 

In an area of some importance it would be well to establish several 
of them. One, which I will call the principal field, should compre- 
hend all the plants included in the rotation to be adopted. , 

The choice of position is a point of great importance. You should 
choose a part which as much as possible represents, by its exposure, its 
nature and degree of fertility, the mean quality of the soil of the 
whole area. The principal field ought to be composed of ten strips 
of one square each, separated by a path of one yard in width. I 
have said that the field ought to comprehend all, or at least the prin- 
cipal, plants of the rotation, which would require, at least two or three 
parallel series of culture; among the plants to be preferred, if one 
cannot try them all, I would name the wheat, colza, or even the beet, 
and a legume—the pea or bean. By means of the wheat and pea you 
will be informed of the state of the superficial bed, and by the beet 
or colza of that of the deeper bed of the soil. Now there are two 
elements to which you must pay particular attention if you would 
have large returns with intelligence, certainty and economy. 

I have said that each plant ought to be submitted to ten different 
methods of manuring on ten separate parcels. Here is the exact 
indication of these manures : ( | as ES RA k 

Wheat—No. 1. Manure, 53,333 Ibs. the acre. REED Lo 

No. 2. Manure, 26,666 “ e pe rasncudeneg TM ATA eS 

No. 3. Complete fertilizer, condensed, \ | VERSITY 

No. 4. Complete fertilizer. } She 

No. 5. Fertilizer without azotic matter. ()A | PHO) RIN] 
Bt a ae ey 


92 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


No. 6. Fertilizer without phosphate of lime. 
No. 7. Fertilizer without potash. 
No. 8. Fertilizer without lime. 
.No. 9. Fertilizer without minerals. 
No. 10. Land without any fertilizer. 

When you have to do with a very large farm, one field is not suf- 
ficient, because of the variation which the composition of the soil 
shows in the principal divisions of a domain; it will be wise, then, 
to multiply the test, but on a less scale. One square divided into 
four parts will be enough for the experiments. They may be reduced 
to the following terms: 

No. 1. Complete fertilizer. 

No. 2. Mineral fertilizer without azote. 
No. 3. Azotic fertilizer without minerals. 
No. 4. Without any fertilizer. 

Several corners of the field reserved for this purpose will not inter- 
fere with its cultivation, and will show when, for each grand division, 
to have recourse to azotic or mineral fertilizers. 

To those who Jook with a kind of fright at so large a number of 
tests, I will reply by an argument of facts. In all the large farms 
- where the chemical fertilizers have been introduced, these experi- 
mental squares have been used. The director, proprietor or farmer 
likes to show them to those who visit him, and after some hesitation 
he always ends by regulating the quantities of the agents composing 
his fertilizer by their growth. 

Let us now occupy ourselves with the fertilizers most convenient 
for these experimental farms. 


SERIES FOR WHEAT. 
(Parcel No. 1.) 
Barnyard manure, 53,333 Ibs. 
(Parcel No. 2.) 
Barnyard manure, 26,666 lbs. 
Condensed Complete Fertilizer No. 1. 
(Parcel No. 3.) 


? 


Quantity. Poa Price. 

Acid phosphate of lime.................. 533 Ibs. $8.10 
Nitrate. of potash: i.e 355 “ 20.94 
Sulphate of ammonia.............cs0008 222. 9.50 
Sulphate of lime. %... 0. cee 812 “ 59 
BB RENE B IN cote Sipheogin, ork Sepeg 1432 Ibs. Cost... $39.18 

Complete Fertilizer No. 1. 
(Parcel No. 4.) yore 

Acid phosphate of lime................... 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Nitrate of potash... cca. en, LID eh 10.47 
Sulphate of ammonia...........c.ceeeeee 222 “ 9.50 
Sulphate: of limes ..ie es, «Ae: 312 “ 59 


‘Potalii.yi... steerer: SHH: 1066 Ibs. Cost... $25.96 


CHEMICAL MANURES, 


Fertilizer without Azote. 
(Parcel No. 5.) 


Quantity. 
Acid phosphate of lime................5. 355 Ibs. 
A PRENeG DOTABD 6:26 pede ccssysokakysedels $2ni:4 
Sulphate of Hime 2.3. ih. cicde ce eweesosiee 322“ 
POUL Ne hs eh fe 800 Ibs. 


Fertilizer without Phosphate. 


(Parcel No. 6.) 


Nitrate of potash...............c.c0e8- Wek) sibed 1 DB. 
Sulphate of ammonia..................65 222 “ 
SARE HALO OF TAN: Ei ovine s es vacikes 312 “ 

SEMMME la doce sack vata teaag. Sea gOmiaNeS 711 Ibs. 


Fertilizer without Potash. 
(Parcel No. 7.) 


Acid phosphate of Simai iis. 5 oe 355 lbs. 

Sulphate of ammonia...............0004. 355 

Sulphate .af lime... 26.2: nc siieeesece sine ait 
3 a ELS Pk Near ae Oe UT Ly BE 887 lbs. 


Fertilizer without Lame. 
(Parcel No. 8.) 
Phosphate of lime, precipitated.......... 855 Ibs. 


BuitEAte-OF POLAREL.. - 5 as ias 0502 5,8 Sales Lit. * 
Sulphate of ammonia...................00. 222“ 
AL 5s <picas i's dosncnncandaydaedset Seine 754 Ibs. 


Fertilizer without Minerals. 
(Parcel No. 9.) 
Sulphate of ammonia.................e00 305 Ibs. 


SERIES FOR BEETS. 
(Parcel No. 1.) 
Barnyard manure, 53,333 Ibs. 


(Parcel No. 2.) 
Barnyard manure, 26,666 Ibs. 


Complete Fertilizer, Condensed, No. 


(Parcel No. 3.) 


Acid phosphate of lime.................. 533 Ibs. 
GEUPEUEG. OL DOLAST 0. cncive pencs rece dese denen 305 
PREEONG S50 SOU. ocala cans eseecy or aciee et 266 “ 
RUTED Hat OL TING. oo. casas savascows nerate 266 “ 
FORME ail sd an eisgs dude oA oid de 1420 lbs 


Tipe 


93 


The acre. Mss 
$5.40 
10.13 


59 
Cost... $16.12 


$10.47 
9.50, 
59 


Cost... $90.56 


— $5.40 

15.20 

33 

Cost... $20.93 


_ $5.40 
10.47 
9.50 


Cost... $25.37 


$15.20 


$8.10 
20.94 
8.76 
00 


Cost... $88.30 


94 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


Complete Fertilizer No. 2. 
(Parcel No. 4.) 


The acre. 





} Quantity. Price, 
Acid phosphate of lime.....s.sse+sss0e0- 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Witrate of potash iil weiasciidids ey es . 10.47 
Nitrate of ‘sodas on Getta QBG? nth de, 8.76 
Sulphate of lime............. ee eee eo 266. “ ' 50 

ge 3 Weal as beeen Sods cpuaceatenties 1064 lbs. Cost... $25.13 


_ Fertilizer kink Azotie Matter. 
(Parcel No. 5.) 


Acid phosphate of lime..............:2.06. 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Parified: $atgebh. 34 U0. ts senses becoeabee 123 4 10.13 
Sulphate OF times 5). oy caeewncweasn 322 “ 59 
. TOPIARY sniv.d'ss vs Se cats CUiind c otsae ear anes 800 Ibs. Cost... $16.12 


Fertilizer without Phosphate. 
(Parcel No. 6.) 


Ditmato-ok swotash: : 55s) 5c wasneonee ehap es 177 lbs. $10.47 
DItrAte ECBO. «ui. Beets snieaseaceeuen yin ses 266. “ ; 8.76 
Sulphate OF LIME... .ceresoncsdeseeay den save lkaee, “ha eee 

POEM Aen sks ors hkaions BRab ga cape ao Raies 709 Ibs. Cost.... $17.73 


Fertilizer without Potash. 
(Parcel No. 7.) 





Acid phosphate of lime.................. 355 Ibs. $5.40 
Witrate Of SOda.......- cn aenvareavenacduy ein tk 400 “ 13.33 
Bulphate OF Dime... isj4o<icns ose geasoaees 822 “ Ae ne 

ROM isso coskaeey easton aerebon bene 1077 lbs. Cost... $19.31 


Fertilizer without Lime. 


(Parcel No. 8.) 
Phosphate of lime, precipitated ......... 355 Ibs. $5.40 


Nitrate.of Pptashs.. 6. couisss deveits ss canine bY 10.47 
INierale OF 800. iss sietieei ee etie anes 266 “ = tae 
"DOGG ss is cccosecnaceaySocsedeatalec yer epee Het: AB e | UROetiel 0 mare na 


Fertilizer without Minerals. 


as (Parcel No. 9.) 
Nitrate.of Boda. ls teria es hy onemen xed 400 Ibs. $13.33 


That an experimental field may furnish truly useful indications of | 
the condition of the soil, it must not have received manure for several 
years; otherwise, the returns from the different parcels will be so 
much alike as to be puzzling, and contrasts, such as you see at Vin- 
cennes, will only be produced after two or three years of cultivation. 
But this case is not less instructive than the first; it proves that the 
soil is provided with all the terms of the complete fertilizer. 


CHEMICAL MANURES. : 95 


In a practical point of view, this indication is of great importance. 
It teaches.us that in such a soil we may have temporary recourse to 
incomplete fertilizers, and can manure alternately, limiting ourselves 
to the dominants, which allows us to obtain the maximum product 
with small expense. 





DICTIONARY OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS. 


Azotie Matters. 


We designate under this name products of animal and vegetable 
origin, of which azote forms a part : 


The blood, Albumen, 
Scrapings of horn, Scraps of wool, 
Muscular flesh, Litter, 

* . Cakes. 


These are azotic matter. To act upon vegetation the substances 
called azotic’ matter ought to be allowed to decompose in the soit ; 
without this previous decomposition they have no action on plants. 
When azotic substances are decomposed a part of their azote takes 
the form of ammonia or nitrate. For this reason we include in the 
class of azotic substances proper to agriculture— 

Sulphate of ammonia. 
Nitrate of potash. 
Nitrate of soda. 

These substances, which are true salts, contain azote to the number 
of their constituents ; in sulphate of ammonia the azote belongs to 
the ammonia, which is the base of salt; in the nitrate ,of potash and 
soda, the azote belongs to the acid of salt. 


Sulphate of Ammonia. 
This salt is formed of sulphuric acid and ammonia : 
PRE IN CHALY oss ods rus ses CU RC me anenane se sv yuaceanys 60.60 
PEP e cee sshd che ht ris eet eeeine a iwacetep nx naar es 25.76 
IV ROS eet oot etre i als ssa cous cPOaaT asa sinners vaabes 13.64 
100.00 
Now, as the ammonia is in its turn formed of | 
AMONG se shes tae cre ptt ean ns) ake a> Cescne ptember n eatin: exas'ipate ss 14 
PUY ASO ROMs aps oc tiie on ote ek Sh Soetal Re WON ee Noe vscres sxbass dey 3 


it results that the sulphate of ammonia contains 21.21 per cent of 
azote when chemically pure. That of commerce contains at most 
20 per cent. Ammonia is drawn from the waters of sewers which 
have been used for cleaning out cities. It is also obtained from the 
distillation of coal employed in making coke and gas; but the source 
which surpasses all others is that offered by volcanoes, when they 
become so quiet that they only throw off the vapor of water. 

In 1866 sulphate of ammonia was worth $6.65 the 200 pounds. 


96 CHEMICAL MANURES, 


To-day it is worth $8.55, but this price will certainly be lower in the 
future. 
Nitrate of Soda. 


Nitrate of soda is formed from nitric acid and soda. Here is the 
exact composition : 


PODOUIC GHEE 435s cuddle cen pean \ xcisebitmedt 3.53 
Boda hats ted RU Sis MAA RC i ee oe  B6.AT 
100.00 

Nitric acid itself being formed of 
PRLOUG. ic neck pk dos sn aso scaheden cep OMmNS REMNANT Ode sa es oy EURAEO 14 
DWE Sn ned on soe vac se DME a POM GAR EE ace cys)» ont atte 40 
. 54 


it follows that the nitrate of soda contains 16.4 of azote when chem- 
ically pure. That of commerce: contains only 14 or 15 per cent. 
Nitrate of soda is found in Peru, where it exists in the form of com- 
pact conglomerates, mixed with sand and marine salt. 

The earthquakes on the Peruvian coast this year have affected the 
importation of this product, the price being raised to $7.60 the 200 
pounds, instead of $6.55, at which it could be bought the past year. 


Nitrate of Potash. 


This salt, also designated under the name of salt of nitre, or nitre, 
is formed of nitric acid and potash: 


Witric gidieh, ..055. cokes dsb Ga aa BS. eae 53.41 
POS he lshscl RAS. a oR ee ol ee ae 46.59 
100.00 


By reason of 14 of azote to 54 of nitric acid, it contains 13.8 of 
azote in its pure form; that of commerce contains only 12 to 13. 
Nitrate of potash is obtained by decomposing, under vast sheds for 
this purpose, substances of animal origin, mixed with argilocalcareous 
earth, which is then washed in ley to extract the nitre. ‘This salt has 
for a long time been made from rubbish. It is made now by decom- 
posing the chlorine of potassium by means of nitrate of soda. By 
this we obtain both the chloride of sodium (marine salt) and nitrate 
of potash, very easy to separate by crystallization. Nitrate of potash 
is of all substances containing potash the most suitable to agri- 
cultural wants. 

Nitrate of potash’ is now worth $5.40 the 200 pounds. 


Phosphate of Lime. 


Under the name of phosphates of lime are comprehended a great 
number of different products. For a long time agriculturists only 
used the phosphate of lime from bones. It was then associated with 
carbonate of lime. Now, the greater part of the phosphates used as 
fertilizers are provided by the mineral kingdom, where it is found in 
inexhaustible veins. All the phosphates are formed from phosphoric 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 97 


acid and lime. Phosphoric acid itself is formed from phosphorus 
and oxygen: 


fg EE Eee tae AB daca | PS Se ARE ia Ed 31 
PRI 02s Geechee MEAT AES cae co eo eae ped EO 
71 


Of the phosphates, phosphoric acid is the active part. Chemists 
are accustomed to represent phosphoric acid by the symbol, 
PhO;,. 
Now, PhO,, or 71 phosphoric acid, being a fixed term, we know 
the principal kinds of phosphates of lime : 


PhO. | S110 
which in hundreds is— , 
co UN Te eT IEC See” oe ea ree 60.68 
Beame CANE, oils). ool. Ua dik 23.93 
de) apr ear eee tee r rr yen 1 ree 15.8 


100.00 

This product has received the name of acid phosphate of lime. It 
is prepared by treating bones or phosphates of mineral origin with 
sulphuric acid. The acid phosphate is then mixed with sulphate of 
lime. Under this form it receives the name of superphosphate of lime. 

It contains from 15 to 18 per cent. of phosphoric acid, and is sold 
at $3.04 the 200 lbs. 

The second phosphate is expressed by the symbol, 


PhO, ' re 
or in hundreds— 
3 ROOTED 5 ai nian a cpa taaia MELE Te als de cer ih 52.20 
ees Linke ws on d.n ob hn a's ea  s oheb 41.18 
5" Sas SSNPS aa par eeepc ate 8. RC Ie aoa 6.62 


100.00 
It differs from the first in the proportion of lime, which is greater. 
This phosphate is not found in commerce. It has remarkable proper- 
ties, of which it is useless to speak, since we cannot procure it. 
The symbol of the last phosphate is, 


PhO;3CaO. 
Its composition in 100 parts is— 
Phosphoric actd............ Bub Weeatt cal thecdssacguasdasavty: 45.81 
PATE sie dbo en.ad bans s aml EAE TE Mein tilken « dewathace 54.19 


100.00 
You see the proportion of phosphoric acid in the phosphates is 
expressed by— 


aap lea Rey et SEF eh en SM Ta a ae OSS SELB) 60.68 
age ap MR IR oak ee ea ge a re 52.20 
co TAA BD i BLE Go tk Ned AAP IES 2 SI ga 45.80 


The last, which is least rich in phosphoric acid, is the phosphate 
of bones; it is found in nature in the form of nodules. 
7 


98 CHEMICAL MANURES, 


In the form of nodules the phosphate is mixed with 40 per cent. 
of foreign matter. It is sold in powder at $1.14 the 200 Ibs. Cal- 
cined bones, reduced to, powder, are worth $3.04. By reason of its 
bulk this phosphate cannot be employed in its natural state. It is 

used in making acid phosphate of lime. 


Sulphate of Lime. 
Sulphate of lime is nothing more than plaster, produced by the 
combination of sulphuric acid with lime. 
It is found in great quantities in nature in a hydrated form. Its 
composition is then— 


POLO IG ROUEN. 1 ¥.; senna Selah Radia AMARA aGhlak Guanes ads 46.51 
RUIG ssintucdain iam ps «5 5%o SoA ee tb ant ese raat toes be eames ania Sie 32.56 
W QUES nseicahinaedcena ars tone nastesis shas pend seins jae nails iy 20.93 

o! 100.00 


Exposed to a temperature of 120° to 130°, it loses the form of 
water and passes to the state hetter known under the name of plaster. . 
It is under the form of plaster that I advise its use, in preference 
to sulphate of lime. It is then worth 38 cents the 200 lbs. 





_ JUSTIFICATION BY PRACTICE, SHOWING FACTS 
AND LAWS. 


I will borrow several proofs from the researches of 1867 which 
merit preservation. Some relate to the conditions of the highest cul- 
ture, others belong to middle culture. In the latter the land is rented 
at from $2.50 to $3.50 the acre, and in the former at from $9 to $10 
the acre. In all these conditions the use of the chemical fertilizers 
has been followed, by which, in the most unfavorable cases, the income 
of the proprietor has been doubled. 

The examples cited will have the merit, besides, of showing the 
advance the ideas we maintain have made in two years. | 

I borrow the first two documents from Le Journal des Fabricants de 
Suere (The Sugar-Makers’ Journal), an excellent compilation, which 
recommends itself as much by its independence toward the. criticisms 
of coteries as by the rare merit of its publication. 


CULTURE BY MEANS OF CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS. 


1. Wheat. 

My experiments covered the space of three acres, divided into 
three separate fields of an acre each. 

The first received in the spring of 1866— 

577 Ibs. of sulphate of ammonia, or 

120 Ibs. of azote. : 

177 Ibs. of real phosphate of lime in the form of acid phosphate. 

120 lbs. of purified potash (277 lbs. carbonate of potash). 

277 lbs, of lime. 

Sown in beets, it produced in 1866, 53,013 Ibs. of roots. 


CHEMICAL MANURES., 99 


The second field had also received the same fertilizer in the spring 
of 1866, except the quantity of sulphate of ammonia, which had 
been reduced to 355 pounds, or 71 pounds of azote. 

The return from this field in beets was 42,066 pounds of roots. 

Lastly, the third field in the autumn of 1866 received— 

266 pounds of acid phosphate of lime. 

266 pounds of sulphate of ammonia, or 

56 pounds of azote. 

177 pounds of sulphate of lime. 

M. George Ville, consulted by me as to the easiest method of 
obtaining a maximum return, advised, in case it should be necessary, 
the addition of a certain quantity of the incomplete fertilizer over 
the first two acres. After a hesitation provoked by the magnificent 
appearance of the plants at the end of the winter, I decided to leave 
the earth to its own forces, fearing the effects of a too luxuriant and 
herbaceous growth. I was happy in following this inspiration, for it 
is very probable the abundant rains of spring had determined the 
fall of the stalks and defeated my hopes if I had used more $f the 
fertilizer. 

What returns were obtained from these.three fields ?— 


Field No. 1 
Jey ire nh pet ea 56 bu., 58 Ibs, to 40 Ibs. ye bushel. 
cr, ROMS Hea ere esa A888 ibs. 
4} #3 y 
| 43 tf 
Field No. 2. Ny oes 
tthe Deen 49 bu,, 58 Ibs. the bushel, Vp. 
oe Reg take tala ae a eae 4857 Ibs. i Cy SAS. 
Field No. 8. ye ad 4 FOp 
OME ete aes cael, « cag <i 62 bu., 49 Ibs. to the bushel. ALEK 
PAW foo cocscdeletnateccoc ee 4644 Ibs. 


What is the value in money of these three harvests? The account, 
reduced one-fifth, leads to the following results : 


Field No. 1. 


56 bu., from $5.55 to $1.46 the bushel................ $84.38 

4888 lbs. of straw, at 14 cents the pound............ _ 61.10 

Total. 27! PIRES LR a RAE M2 SOME EU: | $145.48 
Field No. 2. 

49 bu., from $3.85 to $1.46 the bushel................. $73.17 

4857 lbs. of straw, at 14+ cents the pound............ 60.75 

EL EMOME cis cc sateay ees yeaa ckestea toc tin amar Tita dices $133.92 
Field No. 3 

62 bu., from $4.73 to $1.46 the bushel................. $92.48 

5532 lbs. of straw, at 14 cents the pound............ 69.16 


ie CHEMICAL MANURES. 


I ought to stop here, and leave these figures, without comment, to 
the reflection of practical men; but since it may be said that these 
results are not superior to the ordinary culture, I remind you that 
these fields were surrounded by wheat produced by the old method. 
You have seen them, you have examined them at leisure, you have 
been able to compare the surprising differences manifest between 
them. ‘The wheat from the chemical fertilizer carried tall stalks, 
their heads long and well filled. They were so robust one would in- 
voluntarily have taken them for small trees, while those at their side, 
from manure, doubled over, presenting only stunted spikes, In 
threshing, this difference was not the less striking, for the latter, from 
manure, only gave 32 bushels the acre. 

I confess the year was extremely unfavorable to the formation of 
grain. The plants grew too fast; their fall’was general, thus destroy- 
ing the hopes of a harvest which promised better. In a more normal 
condition perhaps the difference between the two harvests had been 
less. But it is nevertheless certain the chemical fertilizer is in all 
circumstances superior. Now, this is what I wished to prove, and 
what doubles the value of the experiment for me; for is it not evi- 
dent that such a combination of fertilizing matter is the most pre- 
cious of all, since we can, by regulating the use of it, increase or 
diminish the dose according to the exigencies of the season and the 
appearance of the plant—an impossible thing with manure, and 
almost impracticable with all other less soluble fertilizers ? 

But this is not the question. I plead a cause gained, since it is 
clear to all the world that the chemical fertilizers have an immediate 
action and an energy greatly superior to all others. 

The question for our cultivators is more serious: it is to discover 
if these exuberant growths are the expression of a real agricultural 
progress, or whether they are but a kind of ephemeral accident, of 
which the soil pays the cost and to which the cultivator will be the 
first victim. You know what I would say: I wish to speak of the 
impoverishment of the soil. It is pretended that these large returns 
are due to the dissolvent reaction of the chemical fertilizers upon the 
fertilizing wealth accumulated in the bed of the soil. | 

It is said we but half cultivate, and like bad and imprudent workers 
we burden the future for present profit; we inconsiderately work the 
earth which has been confided to us, and of which, after all, we are 
but the tenants, since in reality she belongs as much to future genera- 
tions as to us; we squander the forces put insreserve by our prede- 
cessors, and we have not the right to profit at others’ expense. 

This is the accusations We must confess it is very grave, and, I 
acknowledge, would condemn without hope any system it explained. 
But I repeat, Has this accusation a foundation? Are not the con- 
tradictors of M. George Ville blinded to their interests by a prejudice 
against everything new that does not emanate from the beliefs of the 
old school? I am, it is true, somewhat a stranger to the questions 
of agricultural chemistry—not so much so, perhaps, as would be sup- 
posed; besides, this is less a question of science than of arithmetic, 
and without pretending to the Academy, I pretend to know when I 


CHEMICAL MANURES. © 101 


use such and such manures whaf the soil I cultivate has lost in its 
elements of fertility. 

I will attempt, then, by the aid of facts accepted by all the world, 
to demonstrate that the system of M. Ville, applied to the culture of 
the beet and of wheat, with biennial manuring, far from wasting, 
helps gradually to increase the fertility of the soil. 

I will take as the basis of my calculations, field No. 1, which pro- 
duced in 


1866; bestecs Wei). a 68 1S ber the aere 
SOM PONG oss ek i, aa 57 bu. “ 
ROT BOPIEW ofic's ds cts ekace' Desa hetue Pee eee 4888 lbs. “ 

And I will admit in the beet and wheat, 

Beets. Wheat. Straw. 

BAGG 0 inn 00 se 0.21 percent. 2.29percent. 0.56 per cent. 
Phos. lime... 0.21 “ A alae 4 0.45 
Potash........ 1 aa Ose at aL Uae 


According to this composition, the two harvests represent the 
following quantities of azote, phosphate of lime and potash: 
/ 


Azote. Phos, lime. Potash. 
58,013 Ibs of beets............5.0.0. 111 lbs. 111 lbs. 158 Ibs. 
2,463 lbs. of wheat, less seed.... 56 “ iuGO =" 161" 
4.888 Ibs. of straw...........5..... it 22s“ 32. “ 


And finally, the balance between the fertilizer and the harvest 
becomes— ; 
Harvest. Fertilizer. 


PRPOES ooo ncetn svasstekassopasese caupoonenes tease elses 184 120 
EMOBDUBCS OL TNO. cs. k ops scha cyactaenvsasges assets 183 177 
POOUBMEL Ac i2 st Shiv di owes ccee ces caavstedagane apts koh tN ye 202 120 


At first sight, the earth appears the loser, and the contradictors of 
M. Ville appear to have reason on their side. But is this balance 
the expression of what takes place in cultivation? Evidently not. 
The harvests have not carried off what we said. In reality, the beets 
go to the sugar-maker, where they become pulp, which, returned to 
the farm, serves as food for stock and a large production of manure ; 
the straw likewise reaches the same destination. 

Let us see what the farm recuperates from different products, and 
which ought to enter into the deductions of what the soil loses. 


Azote. Phos. lime. Potash. 
13,333 Ibs. of pulp.............. 57 Ibs. 24 1bs. = 76 Ibs. 
A ahs phi Ty Se pt or Io <* or" Files 
4,888 “ of straw............ IY Bhy 22 32 “ 
Refuse of different kinds...... 4 « 
PRA 35 0Su douse an dian came 88 lbs. 127 Ibs. 116 lbs. 


_ This correction made, these quantities of the agents of fertility 
being added to the corresponding terms of the fertilizer, we are led 
to the following balance, which is the true expression of the 
phenomena : 


102 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


— 
Fertilizer and © Excess in 


, products restored. Harvest. favor of soil, 
8217 aR a ig Ge 204 Ibs. 184 Ibs. ~ 20 Ibs 
WOMAN secu woh taehas 238 “ 202 "'* ; pay i bi 
Phosphate of lime... 308 “ 193° § 114 “ 


This is the truth.’ It is not just to saythat the question of fer- 
tilizers is an.idle one for us, we being sugar-makers and cultivators, 
and that the use of them leads to certain ruin, or sooner or later to 
the impoverishment of our lands. I see the contrary resulting from. 
the so-much decried system, for a source of greater or less profit and 
an increase of fertility flow naturally from it. 

It is easy to give this account without a long train of proofs, Is 
not the production of beets nearly doubled ? Does not the ‘quantity 
of pulp made follow the same proportions? Is not a richer and 
more copious nutriment prepared for a greater number of stock, and 
is not manure consequently more abundant? Then, the chemical 
fertilizer, instead of excluding the manure of the farm, helps the 
cultivator to producé it more cheaply and in greater masses. We 
obtain an immediate increase of profit, thanks to the more soluble 
and active agents of fertility employed, and a more certain increase 
of profit in the future from increased resources of manure, con- 
sequent upon the increase of first returns. Those who affirm that 
M. Ville proscribes the use of manure do not perceive that this 
épinion is in direct opposition to the foundation of his doctrines, 
since the chemical fertilizers ec certainly result in developing our re- 
sources of straw and food. 

Now, I will admit that the two harvests are entirely sent off: is M. 
Ville’s system then dangerous of xpplication? Certainly not; for 
under these new conditions it is only necessary to give back to the 
earth the equivalent of what the pulp and the straw "helped us to re- 
turn to it. 

If we take away the pulp and the straw, the earth loses, as we have 
said— 





Quantities. Price. 
AmObes 5 65.050. Ack LU Gules aT eo 63 lbs. $11.99 
Phosphate: of slime. i355 ay ae as 16348" et 
Pay sin tedisck wads ARBOR haNS ts Sema es OR side Si ui 5.85 
‘Fetal ‘of ‘preserved loss ee ee $18.05 


Now, to end this question finally, and to know if, under these new 
conditions, the methods of M. Ville are advantageous, it is sufficient 
to inquire if the cost of production, being burdened by $18.06, the 
result will be less remunerative. 

Now, on this new case, what is the result of the operation ? 


CREDIT. : 
SB H13 lbs. beets. 4s sawe with sal ww hep cayeaad ttags alu da $100.73 
BB: busiok -wheatiscs. opeecdink ies Be stele ves 84.33 
4,888 lbs. of straw.......2.6c0cssu vale vehanmaalaidl. dabei ae 


Totals sini: Ps ea sttinne seem AL ee vvedsuapeoyeeys $198.99 


/ 


6 [ae 


CL re ee 


s 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 103 


DeEBIr. 
First Year—Beets. 
Expenses of all Kinds: 3... 00.00 ccsicWddilecwedy oa dseonystess $41.37 
Second Year— Wheat. 
PS DCUSEN OF MEE BIOORG, |, 0: sivncnepansovcanlagnsten cnecka $34.52 
Gr Giver FOE GW VORIC. 5.5. oi sss tense ndcten darnwas ses «gan 38.00 
SE OUAG CR URIINGS pa sf sdks sol pae. vensueenepeabaneds tevee es $113.89 
SPEOIMOER dices: ona) a's oclenslv ad .cougemtagurvase. sch neue $85.10 


—$85.10, to pay for the additional fertilizer worth $18.05, which 
compensates for the loss-resulting from the exporting of the pulp and 
straw. | 

You will remark that in the calculations it is supposed that the 
whole of the azote came from the soil, and that it must be returned 
to it, pound for pound. Now, it is a purely gratuitous supposition I 
have voluntarily made, to add force to my demonstration and put it 
beyond all dispute. 

I know that returns obtained for two years may rightly be con- 
sidered as maximum returns. I admit the possibility of seeing them 
sensibly lowered in years unfavorable to the chemical fertilizers. But 
what a margin, however! and how admit that the profits I have 
shown can be changed into loss? 

You perhaps think it strange, my dear sir, that I enter on these 
details. If I thought to clear up the question in this manner, it is 
because I am doubly interested: First, because I feel constrained to 
say aloud, and without hesitation, what I believe to be the truth, and 
because we cultivators and a few farmers cannot allow ourselves to 
be gratuitously accused of wasting the productive forces of a soil con- 
fided to our care. Our responsibility, our future, even, are engaged: 


_ in the question. We cannot allow, without protesting, that we work 


without judgment. For myself, faithful to the prescriptions of M. 
Ville, I will continue to apply his teachings, having always present 
in my mind, as he recommends in such precise terms, the inflexible 
law of restitution imposed upon us, whose character and signification 
it is so difficult to define. In acting thus, I have the certainty of in- 
creasing the fertility of the lands which form the whole of my farm, 
while developing the resources of the present. A. CAVALLIER. 
November 7, 1867. 





SECOND CULTURE OF WHEAT BY MEANS OF CHEM-. 
ICAL FERTILIZERS. 


The land I have operated upon (primitive formation, or, to be more 
exact, mica-schist) is a poor land, rented at $2.50 to $3 the acre, 
wasted by a triennial rotation under the worst conditions from time 
immemorial, and not to my knowledge have the vices of this rota- 
tion been corrected—I do not mean by abundant manuring, but 
by any manure at all. These lands are situated at a considerable 
height above the farm-buildings, and difficult of access; it is easy, 


104 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


then, to see why the farmers who occupied it preferred to use what 
little manure was at their disposition in the field, rather than bring 
any. Now to attempt the cultivation of wheat under such conditions 
seemed impossible—so impossible that our laborers undertook it with 
extreme repugnance, 

However, by the aid of 888 Ibs. of the incomplete fertilizer the 
acre, I obtained -a harvest worth $61.01, of which the following are 
the elements : 


COUAREILY OE Mra. sei this anaes as kde 37 bu. 
NV GION t OF Bergin: Os Sosy yuk ise ee ae aE aka e sae 1733 Ibs. 
Weight per bushel.:................ agi Sk 46 “ 
Weightion iattaw 055.) ete AL 7200 “ 


Here is a return of products amounting in value to.. $61.01 
From which must be deducted the whole value of 
Na OS | A a RRS ie SRI! SOBER eceak Rta ett 5 i ye 


Certainly, gentlemen, this is an enormous return, considering the 
land in question; but I am convinced that it would have beeri greater 
if the ploughing had been deeper, if the fertilizer had been more 
deeply turned under than it was, and lastly, if the season had been 
better. Is not 37 bushels the acre an admirable return from the soil 
where it was fealized, when in the neighboring valley, from the 
alluvial soils, worth $506.66 the acre, the yield was but 25 bushels ? 

I had so organized my experimental fields as to compare the returns 
of wheat with those treated with fertilizers and those without them. 
Unfortunately, the servant charged with spreading them forgot my 
orders, and threw the fertilizer over the reserved squares. If I had 
been told of the mistake in time, I could have repaired it, but the 
servant kept silent, convinced he would not be found out. It was not 
until later, when the presence of the manure was evident in the 
growth of the plants, that he acknowledged his fault. 

His fault, although it resulted in depriving me of a comparison in 
the culture of wheat, could not hinder me from comparing the results ~ 
obtained from the chemical fertilizers with those by the old methods 
in the culture of rye without fertilizers. 

This experimental field was near the field of rye without fertilizers 
of which I have just spoken, and which had yielded 15 bushels of 
grain and 1422 lbs. of straw the acre. 

Now, i in the estimate of the cost of all the fertilizers, which I think 
excessive, and valuing the grain and straw as here below, we find as 
the result of the two methods a profit of $30.61 in favor of the har- 
vest with the fertilizer. 


Value of harvest of rye without fertilizer.........sseseee: $16.88 
Value of harvest of wheat with fertilizer.................. 65.23 
Excess in favor of harvest of wheat.................. $48.35 
Deduction of value of fertilizer................020008 $17.74 


Net profit in favor of the culture of wheat with 
the chemical fertilizers....... E enond nats eovereatbing ays $30.61 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 105 


Now, you will object that I could have had analogous if not 
superior results with manure. Certainly, the thing would be possible 
with time and much manure. But where to get the manure? When 
with the chemical fertilizer I will have produced much straw, roots, 
forage, and consequently much stock, I would doubtless be able to. do 
without it. But if I attempt, under the conditions where I am 
placed, to obtain this straw, roots and forage by the usual methods 
of culture, you would condemn me for an indefinite length of time, 
and perhaps for ever, to unremunerative harvests; that is to say, to 
renewed sacrifices of money, and no compensation. 

But you will say, These 37 bushels of wheat, and this great 
superiority over the ancient methods, are due to ancient forces in the 
soil. This earth you will waste, thus diminishing your property—if 
not in extent, at least in intrinsic value. 

Concerning myself, I am insensible to the objection. Is it because 
I have furnished the earth with more azote, phosphate of lime and 
lime than the harvest drew from it? Is it that now—when I expect 
remunerative harvests from it, and will free it from the weeds which 
devour it, and the bad water which it retains in excess,—is it because 
now, thanks to the labors of M. George Ville, I know its language, 
and can always question it as to preferences and wants? Is it be- 
cause I can now find out in what it is lacking and what it has in 
abundance? And from this am I not able to give it at my will, so 
to speak, those elements of fertility of which it is deprived ? 

But if well founded, I would not notice the objection. An excess 
of products to the value of $15, kept up for several years only, would 


_ be sufficient to cover the whole value of the soil itself. And if the 


soil were incapable of producing wheat or rye, I could still, after 
recovering from it its price, put it to the use I designed before know- 
ing the laws of vegetation reyealed by M. Ville, which was to make 
it a wood ora pasture. But, gentlemen, I am relieved of all uneasi- 
ness, not only by the theoretic teachings of M. Ville, but also by the 
results obtained by him at Vincennes. 

I have not limited my experiments to the culture of rye, oats and 
wheat. I have also employed the chemical fertilizers on artichokes, 
Irish potatoes and radishes—that is, on plants whose elements are 
destined to return almost wholly to the soil which has produced 
them. But these crops are still in the ground, and it would be prem- 
ature to speak of them. Dre MAtHAREL. 





[ particularly call the attention of the reader to this Report, be- 
cause, the returns having been small, the operation still being profitable, 
we may consider the conclusions of the author as the least favorable 
expression of the advantages attending the use of chemical fertilizers : 


REPORT MADE TO THE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ANGOU- 
LEME, BY M. BOURZAC, RECTOR OF THE COLLEGE. 


According to the desire expressed to me last year by our honorable 
president, M. Gellibert de Seguins, I have experimented with the fer- 


106 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


tilizers of M. George Ville on a property I possess at Charras, 
canton of Moulbron. 

The lands on which the experiments were made were three acres in 
extent. ‘They were manured, one-half with 1066 pounds of the com- 
- plete fertilizer No. 2, containing— 


Acid:phosphate of: lime... sci... Jisgeeie eeesssescsecss 355 Ibs. 
Deitrede Ol: Wabash cs. ih, agit PERG, ole ok oeee 479) :5 
Witrabo rf RORiies eck asbine aA hes 266 “ 
Sulphate of dimes .ieitscgalics sad sle rae iad, dios so BOG IS 
ROMs RIt Ee PPR RN Oe, 1066 lbs. 


The other half with 888 pounds of the incomplete fertilizer No. 2, 
containing— 


Acid phosphate of ot lich Racha shags (2 355 Ibs. 

ul phase Of AMMONIA. «25. ab srsreesateascorsonvetaneener 310 “ 

PAU DRAIE OL LING, «5 cscs tncetcomi tains enone sananueanie sia 223 “ 
DH cacti ess <0 ineged parry sqpesehdelsiuaetienen ts belies bie 838 lbs. 


The results obtained from these two kinds of fertilizers showed no 
difference to the eye before harvest. It was always my intention to 
separate them, but they were unfortunately mixed by a mistake of 
my steward. 

The harvest was 99 bushels of wheat and 11,127 pounds of straw, 
which gave 33 bushels of grain and 3709 pounds of straw the acre ; 
while that year the returns from five other farms and reserves form- 
ing the same property only rose to 15 bushels of grain and 1829 
pounds of straw the acre. 

To give a clear idea of the money value of this first trial permit 
me, gentlemen, to enter into some details. 

The total extent of this farm which was sown in wheat was 6 
acres; the stable manure to be spread over this surface did not con- 
stitute, according to the bad habit of our country, a half manuring. 
I had it spread over 3 acres—that is, over half the surface for which 
it was designed. The chemical fertilizers Nos. 1 and 2, to the weight 
of 3909 pounds, were spread over the remaining 3 acres. 

The total harvest was raised ‘to 117 bushels of wheat and 13,452 
pounds of straw. 

Judging by the five other farms and reserves of this year, the har- 
vests of this farm, without manure, would have been ordinarily 72 
bushels of wheat at the most. . 7 

The use of the chemical fertilizers increased the harvest by an . 
excess of 117 over 72—equal to 45 bushels of grain and 5191 pounds 
of straw. 





The 45 bu. of wheat, at $1.75 the bu., gave.............5. $78.75 
The 5191 Ibs. of straw, at 0043 per Ib........... cece 24.65 

Total Medicis Nad, woah hee Gaiden. dwioa $103.40 
The fertilizers and all expenses included......c..cccce. TA 


The net profit is, the first year.......... BTN Ltt $27.98 


CHEMICAL MANURES. 107 


In the preceding account I stand in the position of a proprietor 
furnishing the fertilizers made use of by his farmer. 

Under these circumstances, the price of manure being put down 
entirely to the first harvest, the rent of the 6 acres increased to $27.98, 
about $4.65 the acre. . 

If we value the products of the 3 acres treated with chemical fer- 
tilizers, the net profit, all expense of manuring paid, will be $10.97 
the acre. 

If the owner worked it himself, would the result be equally to his 
advantage? It appears to me very interesting to look at the question 
in this light. \ 

Fixing, as M. George Ville has done in his lecture at the Sorbonne, 
and according to Matthieu de Dombasle, the cost of the culture of one 
acre at $18.57 is thus divided : 





BREE OL BOUL os cicnise co ove cae scene taeeaveeeeerensnesddatasebsnas $3.80 
Kpenerhl eX PEnses...... ..ci...ssecssacsasvenokeubbars RS aeneie 4.39 
IVY OPES OL CUNINC: i555 faiscs sas 0eeesebebancabetiee. onde e's 3.63 
NON jx. sciandetsine vakcwas nang <cavancaeedenueeh Be acanscids 3.88 
Harvesting and threshing.........:5....-.cceceossssenseeee 2.87 
Gh OME nies caver c ansinahy ¥itis nc assananaea MaNMeRLY <x S89 te $18.57 
Putting the manure by itself, there is always for the 3 acres— 
99 bu. of wheat, at $1.75 the bu............... Ee $173.25 
11,127 lbs. of straw, at .004% per Ib................... 52.85 
MDGS Aisa 2 3 isd isla ave sidan ROREH AN Ga poston ds aed $226.10 
Deducting cost of culture.............c0e00 $67.80 
ORBIT oo ces occuvoscedecaceadanuseucadoescaieap 106.14—$172.94 
INGO PEOUE Fis Sho. dsc ieee Pac paseaeds goueeyes $42.16 
Wet. profit the acre... SR aele aie ith odds $14.05 


In an account like the preceding the total cost of the manure has 
been put down to the first harvest. This is an extreme supposition, 
according to M. George Ville, for the price of the annual manuring, 
deducted from his formule for four years, is but $15.20 the acre, in- 
stead of $29.03. Looking at the question in this point of view, the 
results to which we are led, for the 3 acres on which I experimented, 
are— 


99 bu.-of grain, at $1.75 the bu............c60. coeeees $173.25 
11,127 lbs. of straw, at .004% per Ib........ iiss donned fs 52.85 
NOEL icc asact pansy ana sdsabicne savor beh ctadants cbicatDy $226.10 
Deducting cost of culture...........eeeee eee $26.01 
Manure...... WEDS ante cadbibis «ive cei aeWaes wee. 60.78— $86.79 
POE DONE sins sccnenchace isasscen eidlaneugh-aendanaoioaes $139.21 
Net. profit the dere. ides 055.40 ches pxnondvescdees ob $25.65 


From whatever point of view we look at it, and with the actual 
price of wheat much superior, I must say, to its mean price, the use 
of chemical fertilizers in the experiment I have just made is attended 
with profit. Would it be the same in an abundant year? I do not 


108 CHEMICAL MANURES. 


know ; it always seems natural to me to suppose that the abundance 
of products obtained by the chemical fertilizers will compensate in 
this sense, at least in part, for the lowering of the price of wheat. 

We may say that the first returns from the chemical fertilizers will 
not be maintained in the future; experience must, decide that. 

For myself, I have made known the facts produced under my own 
eyes; I have fixed their economic signification with the greatest 
severity, and I have abstained with the greatest care from all per- 
sonal prejudice. a8 ; . 

I will continue next year to give an account of all new results I ii 
may obtain—am determined to keep account of facts alone, and to — 
respect their testimony, whatever it may be. Bourzac. 






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